Tidalis welcomes Geert-Jan den Besten as new Chief Executive Officer
Tidalis, the global provider of maritime software solutions for port authorities, coast guards, ports, and inland waterways, today announced the appointment of Geert-Jan den Besten as Chief Executive Officer. Ivo-Paul Tummers will transition from his role as CEO to become an Advisor to the Board, focusing on business growth and strategic partnerships.
With these appointments, Tidalis reinforces its commitment to innovation in the maritime industry and making the maritime world safer, more secure, and more efficient through the delivery of next-generation vessel traffic management and port management solutions.
Geert-Jan den Besten is a seasoned leader, highly respected for his extensive experience in growing and transforming organisations that deliver business-critical solutions. He has held leadership positions at, among others, HP, KPN, Detron, Treetop, and ECI Software Solutions. These experiences have taught him that sustainable growth is achieved when strategy is firmly anchored in close collaboration with clients, partners, and the wider market.
“I am grateful and proud to join Tidalis. The maritime industry is going through an exciting phase of innovation, and Tidalis is playing an important role in it. I look forward to continuing to deliver the best maritime software solutions to our customers by leveraging our highly talented workforce and market-leading technology.” – Geert-Jan den Besten, CEO
“Since I started as CEO of Tidalis two and a half years ago, we’ve made significant strides in achieving our strategic goals. There is still much more potential for our innovative solutions. I will continue to focus on the business growth of Tidalis, in close collaboration with Geert-Jan, the Board and the rest of the leadership team.” – Ivo-Paul Tummers, Advisor to the Board
“I am very pleased to welcome Geert-Jan den Besten as CEO. Under his leadership and with the continued support of Ivo-Paul Tummers, who has successfully led the establishment of Tidalis as a standalone business, we are well positioned for the next phase of growth. I would like to thank Ivo-Paul Tummers for his successful leadership, and I look forward to continuing to work together.” – Ralf Timmer, Chairman of the Board
Geert-Jan den Besten officially assumed his role on 17 November 2025. This leadership transition ensures continuity and stability while positioning Tidalis for long-term growth and innovation. All ongoing projects and partnerships will continue to be fully supported, and our customers can expect the same strong commitment to quality, reliability, and collaborative partnership that they have always experienced.
We thank all our clients, partners and stakeholders for their continued support and trust in Tidalis as we embark on this exciting new chapter.
