Michael Kolk

Managing Partner

Global Practice Leader, Technology & Innovation Management

Michaël helps clients in the chemicals, life sciences and technology-intensive industries to identify, realize and sustain innovation-based growth and value creation.

Education

Radboud University
PhD Physical Chemistry
University of Amsterdam
M.Sc. Biochemistry

Past Experience

Shell
Workgroup Leader

Michaël is a Partner who joined Arthur D. Little in 2000 and has been based in the Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur offices. He leads our Global Technology & Innovation Management Practice and coordinates as well our Global Chemicals Practice.

His consulting focus finds itself in the areas of Growth and Innovation performance enhancement, primarily in the chemicals, life sciences, and other technology-intensive industries. He is a regular speaker at innovation conferences.

Michaël’s mission in his professional life is to help clients find and capture opportunities for sustainable growth and value creation. Very often this involves the “what” (strategy creation, opportunity scouting, business-case creation, etc.) alongside the “how” (innovation management, organization and process redesign, capability building, change management, etc.).

Before joining Arthur D. Little, Michaël worked for Shell Chemicals as a workgroup leader in its Amsterdam Technology Center, providing technical support to internal customers in downstream oil and chemicals.

Michaël holds an MSc in biochemistry from the University of Amsterdam and a Ph.D. in biophysical chemistry from Radboud University. In addition, he has attended the Executive Education program of Insead, France.

Michaël is married and has three young daughters. His other interests are literature, world politics, and popular science. In his spare time, he likes to run (regularly) and travel to the world’s more distant places (occasionally).

Recent Publications

Effectively managing the sustainability transition in an ambiguous world
Effectively managing the sustainability transition in an ambiguous world
The need to transition to sustainable business models is a key topic for every senior manager. However, prioritizing sustainability is challenging due to its complexity, competing priorities, and uncertainty around legislation and technology progress. Despite the challenges, it’s crucial for companies to understand the necessary actions they have to take to meet long-term demands and targets. Adopting scenario-based planning is essential to gain this understanding.
Excelling in a software-driven future
Excelling in a software-driven future
Software is rapidly becoming a critical asset as industries converge and perception of value shifts from hardware to software. Surgeons, for instance, can perform lifesaving surgeries via virtual reality (VR). But such a revolutionary procedure demands zero risk for error or downtime in connectivity, leading to new network requirements. Retail and commerce has also conjoined with computing, logistics, and finance for seamless online shopping.
Why the bio-based materials market is finally poised for growth
Why the bio-based materials market is finally poised for growth
This is now changing rapidly, reinvigorating the market. Demand is growing, driven by increasingly environmentally conscious consumers and governments’ Net Zero targets requiring consumer-focused product companies to achieve sustainability. Finally, technology breakthroughs are bringing down production costs for bio-based materials, while improving their performance to make them comparable or superior to fossil-based counterparts.

Michaël is a Partner who joined Arthur D. Little in 2000 and has been based in the Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur offices. He leads our Global Technology & Innovation Management Practice and coordinates as well our Global Chemicals Practice.

His consulting focus finds itself in the areas of Growth and Innovation performance enhancement, primarily in the chemicals, life sciences, and other technology-intensive industries. He is a regular speaker at innovation conferences.

Michaël’s mission in his professional life is to help clients find and capture opportunities for sustainable growth and value creation. Very often this involves the “what” (strategy creation, opportunity scouting, business-case creation, etc.) alongside the “how” (innovation management, organization and process redesign, capability building, change management, etc.).

Before joining Arthur D. Little, Michaël worked for Shell Chemicals as a workgroup leader in its Amsterdam Technology Center, providing technical support to internal customers in downstream oil and chemicals.

Michaël holds an MSc in biochemistry from the University of Amsterdam and a Ph.D. in biophysical chemistry from Radboud University. In addition, he has attended the Executive Education program of Insead, France.

Michaël is married and has three young daughters. His other interests are literature, world politics, and popular science. In his spare time, he likes to run (regularly) and travel to the world’s more distant places (occasionally).

Recent Publications

Effectively managing the sustainability transition in an ambiguous world
Effectively managing the sustainability transition in an ambiguous world
The need to transition to sustainable business models is a key topic for every senior manager. However, prioritizing sustainability is challenging due to its complexity, competing priorities, and uncertainty around legislation and technology progress. Despite the challenges, it’s crucial for companies to understand the necessary actions they have to take to meet long-term demands and targets. Adopting scenario-based planning is essential to gain this understanding.
Excelling in a software-driven future
Excelling in a software-driven future
Software is rapidly becoming a critical asset as industries converge and perception of value shifts from hardware to software. Surgeons, for instance, can perform lifesaving surgeries via virtual reality (VR). But such a revolutionary procedure demands zero risk for error or downtime in connectivity, leading to new network requirements. Retail and commerce has also conjoined with computing, logistics, and finance for seamless online shopping.
Why the bio-based materials market is finally poised for growth
Why the bio-based materials market is finally poised for growth
This is now changing rapidly, reinvigorating the market. Demand is growing, driven by increasingly environmentally conscious consumers and governments’ Net Zero targets requiring consumer-focused product companies to achieve sustainability. Finally, technology breakthroughs are bringing down production costs for bio-based materials, while improving their performance to make them comparable or superior to fossil-based counterparts.

More About Michael
  • Radboud University
    PhD Physical Chemistry
  • University of Amsterdam
    M.Sc. Biochemistry
  • Shell
    Workgroup Leader