ASML’s chief diplomat closes in on Silver Jubilee

It’s time we get someone a little more sophisticated, Gerard Verdonschot advised ASML’s supervisory board after announcing his resignation as CFO in 1998. It was a tongue-in-cheek remark, clearly, but not entirely devoid of seriousness. Despite getting listed in 1995, ASML had never really shaken off the cowboy mentality of its pioneering days. Internal procedures weren’t overly strict and written contracts were often deemed unnecessary. Someone would have to put things in order.

That sophisticated someone turned out to be Peter Wennink, who became ASML’s second-ever CFO in 1999. Still with the company today, turning CEO in 2013, he helped mold ASML into what it is today: a semiconductor powerhouse that’s the envy of the world. Success has come at a price, however, as governments are looking over Wennink’s shoulder these days. ASML is one of the very few non-military companies for which the US government deemed it necessary to unilaterally curb sales.