Sjoerd leads the Global Corporate Affairs organisation at AstraZeneca, overseeing the company’s internal, external, scientific, product, and digital communications, government affairs and policy, patient advocacy, and philanthropic activities.

Reporting directly to CEO, Pascal Soriot, the team plays a pivotal role in the delivery of AstraZeneca’s ‘Growth Through Innovation’ strategy, blending creativity, acumen, and insights to deliver innovative programs that build a distinctive reputation, mobilise the company’s approximately 80,000 employees and shape the business environment.

Sjoerd brings to his role extensive government, public affairs, and corporate communications experience within the pharmaceutical industry. Before he was appointed Vice President, GCA, in 2021, Sjoerd led the Global Government Affairs and Policy function, developing partnerships to shape critical systemic and therapy area policies vital to ensuring continued and improved access to the company’s innovative medicines.
Prior to joining AstraZeneca, Sjoerd was a business leader at Novartis, spending 10 years in roles of increasing seniority across Europe and the emerging markets within the Corporate Public and Government Affairs team in Brussels, Basel, and Dubai. In his last position at Novartis, Sjoerd was responsible for managing the Asia Pacific region out of Singapore.

Sjoerd holds a BSc in Computer Science and MSc in Public Administration from Erasmus University in Rotterdam. He is a Dutch national and enjoys sailing, skiing, and traveling. Sjoerd is based in Zug, Switzerland.