Lightyear appoints Bernd Martens and John Heller as Members of the Supervisory Board
Helmond, July 2023 — Lightyear, a leading innovator in sustainable mobility, is pleased to announce the appointment of Bernd Martens and John Heller as new members of its Supervisory Board. The addition of these two highly accomplished industry leaders further strengthens Lightyear's governance and will contribute to the company's mission of revolutionizing the electric vehicle industry.
With his extensive background in the automotive industry as a former member of the Board of Management at Audi AG, Dr. Bernd Martens brings invaluable experience to Lightyear. Martens, who has previously contributed to Lightyear as Senior Advisor, has a career in automotive that began more than 30 years ago with Mercedes. It continued through the years at higher executive levels with Volkswagen and Audi offices all over the world, including Germany, Brazil, Mexico, and Italy. His experience in funding, procurement and IT has made him a reliable advisor in the automotive world. He has been appointed as a Supervisory Board member, contributing his expertise in operations and strategic planning.
Next to Martens joining on the Supervisory Board is John Heller, a seasoned executive with a strong track record in corporate governance. From 2017 until recently, Heller served as CEO of the Louwman Group, a 100-year-old family business operating in various products and services in the field of mobility. Prior to his role at the Louwman Group, Heller held positions as a director and CEO in the world of banking and insurance, among others at Nationale Nederlanden and the ING Group. Heller's appointment further bolsters Lightyear's commitment to effective oversight and governance practices.
Lex Hoefsloot, CEO of Lightyear, said about the new appointments, "We are grateful to welcome Bernd Martens and John Heller to our Supervisory Board. Their vast industry knowledge, leadership acumen, and operational experience make them highly valuable additions to Lightyear. Their expertise in building and managing organizations will play an important role in guiding Lightyear through the upcoming phase and driving a sustainable path for growth and success as we continue to advance the development of our groundbreaking solar-powered electric vehicles."
Lightyear is dedicated to creating clean and sustainable transportation solutions that reduce carbon emissions and promote a greener future. With the addition of Bernd Martens and John Heller to its Supervisory Board, Lightyear is well-positioned to accelerate its growth and further solidify its position as an industry leader.
