Emmo Meijer (1951) studied chemistry in Amsterdam (VU University Amsterdam), where he finished his PhD in 1979. In the same year he joined DSM. In various positions in research and business management he played an important role in the transformation of DSM into a more life science based company. In 2001 he became the first Chief Technology Officer of DSM. From 2005 to 2009, he worked for Unilever in various senior roles in R&D. Starting April 1st, 2011, he is the Corporate Director for R&D of FrieslandCampina.

He also works as  part-time professor (TUE), member of the Netherlands Academy of Technology and Innovation, Director of the Royal Dutch Society of Sciences, chairman of the Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Chairman Steering Committee agrifood & Innovation, president of Greenport Venlo Innovation Center, member of the Supervisory Board of Utrecht University and member of several national and international organizations in the field of science and innovation. Since 2003 he is honorary member of the KNCV.