About us

Alexander Willemse is the CEO of BioConnection BV since 2008.

Before joining BioConnection, Alexander built an extensive career within the pharmaceutical industry. He started at Organon NV in 1998 and joined OctoPlus in 2003, where he served as Managing Director of the CMO business. Alexander studied Chemical Engineering at Delft University of Technology, where he also earned his PhD. Throughout his career, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer at several universities, including courses such as Particle Size Measurement for Aerosol Systems at the University of California (UCLA) and Measuring Techniques for Biophysical Systems at the University of Leuven in Belgium. For many years, he contributed as a CMC expert to the course Drug Development Simulation, first through the Dutch Top Institute Pharma and later via Learning by Simulation. Alexander is (co-)author of more than 20 scientific publications and currently serves as a board member of HollandBIO, the association of biotech companies in the Netherlands. In recent years, he has also delivered an annual guest lecture at Delft University of Technology on the history and impact of injectable pharmaceutical development. Outside of work, Alexander enjoys spending time with his family. When time allows, he can often be found mountain biking, and during winter he enjoys skiing on slopes around the world.

“It is rewarding to see how our work contributes to the success of our customers and, ultimately, to the availability of new therapies. Over the past few years, the company has grown significantly, and we are committed to continuing this growth. I find the work both diverse and challenging, but above all it is our people who make the difference. We are a strong, dedicated team with a great spirit, always willing to go the extra mile for our projects and customers. Combined with a healthy sense of humor and a practical, down-to-earth approach, this truly makes for a winning team.”

Martijn Poels, joined us August 2023 as our Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Martijn has a proven track record of success in optimizing financial performance and implementing effective financial controls. With over 25 years of experience in finance and accounting and a good understanding of financial markets and regulatory compliance, he brings a wealth of expertise to the company’s financial operations and ensures they are in line with industry standards.
As CFO, Martijn is responsible for overseeing all financial aspects of the company, including financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. He works closely with the management team to develop and execute strategic financial initiatives to navigate BioConnection successfully into the next growth stages.

Prior to joining BioConnection, Martijn held senior finance positions at various companies, where he played a key role in driving financial success and implementing financial strategies that supported business objectives. The most significant part of this was in pharmaceutical companies such as Organon/Schering-Plough/MSD and DSM-Sinochem-Pharmaceuticals/Centrient.
Martijn holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering & Management Science from Eindhoven University of Technology and an Executive Master of Finance & Control from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He is a member of VRC (Association of registered controllers) and continues to stay updated with the latest trends and developments in the finance industry.

“It was at Organon in 2005 when I first learned about BioConnection, right after its inception. It is exciting to see how BioConnection has developed over all those years, particularly with the acquisition of its own manufacturing plant in 2016. It is great to be back in Oss and work with the team at BioConnection on the next steps in the growth journey of this company.”

Eva Stöcker joined our company in December 2022 and is our Director Production

She brings extensive experience in operational management and leadership to the company. As Director Production, Eva oversees the day-to-day operations, ensuring smooth workflows and high-quality production standards. She is responsible for managing teams, optimizing resources, and implementing strategies that enhance operational performance. Eva’s expertise in team building and communication fosters a collaborative environment, enabling BioConnection to meet its production goals effectively.
With a background spanning over a decade in various operational roles, Eva is instrumental in driving efficiency and excellence within BioConnection’s production processes.

Prior to joining BioConnection, Eva held significant positions at MSD Animal Health Nederland and Applied Materials, where she honed her skills in operations management and project coordination. Her diverse experience includes roles such as Non-Technical Project/Program Manager and AGS Administrator, showcasing her ability to manage complex projects and operations.
Eva holds a Master of Science in Public Administration from Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen and a Bachelor’s degree in Facility Management from Hogeschool Diedenoort Wageningen. Her educational background, combined with her practical experience, equips her with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead operational initiatives at BioConnection.

“Joining BioConnection has been an exciting chapter in my career. The company’s commitment to innovation and quality aligns perfectly with my professional values. I am enthusiastic about contributing to BioConnection’s growth and success, particularly in enhancing our operational capabilities to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

Richard serves as Chief Commercial Officer at BioConnection in the Netherlands since September 2024.

Richard has more than 20 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry and global commercialization in a business-to-business environment. During his career he served in several increasingly senior commercial roles of which 10 years as Chief Commercial Officer at Synthon in the Netherlands and at Galenicum in Spain.

Richard graduated in Chemistry at the University of Amsterdam (cum laude) and holds a Ph.D in Biochemistry. The combination of his scientific background with his commercial and business mindset provides a unique combination for successful understanding of the end-to-end process of development, production and commercialization of medicines in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Noortje Hendriks is our HR Director since May 2023.

As HR Director, Noortje is responsible for shaping and implementing BioConnection’s people strategy. She supports the business by establishing clear organizational structures, well-defined roles and responsibilities, and effective HR processes that enable teams to work efficiently and collaboratively. At the same time, she focusses on connecting people, culture, and business objectives, creating an environment where employees feel supported, engaged, and able to grow. With a personal and approachable leadership style, Noortje contributes to BioConnection’s continued development as both a high-performing and people-centered organization.

Noortje has a background in HR and brings extensive HR experience from international and technical environments. Throughout her career, she has worked on both strategic HR initiatives and the human side of organizations, with a strong focus on talent development, collaboration, and building trust. 

“What I value most about BioConnection is the balance between professionalism and genuine personal attention. It is a growing organization where I enjoy building the future together with the people and the team — because when people are given the opportunity to grow, the organization ultimately grows with them.”

Iris Winter is our QA/QP Director and joined our organisation November 2025.

As Quality Director at BioConnection, she serves as the strategic force behind the organization's quality promise. She ensures that quality is not merely a static checklist but a dynamic component of business operations that fosters trust and drives growth. By designing long-term frameworks that anticipate shifting regulations and bridging the gap between Operations and Quality, she transforms complex challenges into collaborative successes.

With over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role as Quality Director. Her career is built on a strong professional foundation at industry leaders such as MSD Animal Health, Organon, and Intervet, complemented by experience at UMC St Radboud and as a specialist consultant for Winter Quality Partner.
Throughout her career, she has successfully navigated the complexities of global quality systems, GxP compliance, and large-scale manufacturing. From her technical roots in pharmaceutical research to her extensive experience as a Qualified Person (QP), she has a proven track record of aligning strict regulatory requirements with operational excellence.
She is a registered Pharmacist, having earned her degree from the University of Groningen.

“Joining BioConnection is a true challenge that pushes my expertise to the next level, requiring me to draw on every skill I’ve ever learned and more. I love helping the organization develop into one that is truly fit for the future, and I am a firm believer in collaborating company-wide to achieve our shared goals together.”