Luc Sels new President of Leiden University
As of 1 November 2025, Professor Luc Sels will assume the role of President of Leiden University’s Executive Board, succeeding Annetje Ottow, who held this position until 1 September.
Luc Sels served as Rector of KU Leuven in Belgium from 2017 until this summer, and brings a distinguished academic background and a wealth of leadership experience. After studying sociology, he became a professor at the Leuven Faculty of Economics and Business, where he also served as Dean for nine years.
Connection and societal impact
In his vision for the university, Luc Sels emphasises the importance of trust and connection within the university, along with the ability to build new relationships locally, regionally and internationally. He will draw on his extensive experience in European research programmes, knowledge transfer and the expansion of interdisciplinary consortia to help realise Leiden University’s ambitious goals and contribute meaningfully to the society of tomorrow. He views the development of the new strategic plan that will succeed ‘Innovating and Connecting’ (the 2022-2027 plan) as essential to achieving these aims.
As President, Luc Sels will be responsible for the university’s overall strategy and leadership, and will play an active role in the continued development of the three campuses in Leiden and The Hague. His priorities will also include consolidating Leiden’s knowledge ecosystem (Key Region Leiden) and expanding the alliance with Delft University of Technology and Erasmus Rotterdam (LDE Universities). He recognises that the political climate in which higher education in the Netherlands currently operates requires both decisiveness and diplomacy – skills he has honed through his work at KU Leuven and in Europe.
His leadership vision includes a commitment to collaborative decision-making within the Executive Board, direct involvement of the deans and open dialogue with the representative bodies and all other sections of the university.
Full confidence
Ferd Grapperhaus, Chair of the Board of Governors of Leiden University, is enthusiastic about the appointment: ‘Luc Sels is a leader with a wealth of expertise. His personality, vision and ambition will guide our university through these challenging times. The Board of Governors has full confidence in a strong working relationship and believes this will also extend to our students, staff and other stakeholders.’
Pioneering university
In response to his appointment, Luc Sels said: ‘I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the future of a university renowned for its academic excellence and known to me as a beacon of intellectual innovation and social engagement. I’ve long considered Leiden University to be a key partner of KU Leuven, and we’ve collaborated effectively in networks such as the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and the Una Europa alliance. I feel at home in Leiden, and the warm welcome only deepens my trust and enthusiasm.
‘I look forward to meeting everyone who helps in any way to make this university so unique. As a Leuvener and future Leidener, I expect to become just as familiar and proud of Leiden University as I am of my alma mater.’
Experienced team player
Timo Kos, the acting President of the Executive Board, also welcomes the appointment. ‘Luc’s broad role as Rector of the renowned KU will undoubtedly help our university navigate the challenges we currently face. I also look forward to the vital collaboration in the region and Europe, on which he will undoubtedly be able to build. He is a highly experienced, multi-talented colleague and a team player who sees the bigger picture and understands the needs of students and staff.’
Executive Board
With Sel’s appointment, the Leiden University Executive Board will be complete as of 1 November. Until then, Timo Kos (Vice-President) will continue to serve as interim President. The current Rector Magnificus, Hester Bijl, will leave Leiden University on 15 January to become Rector of Delft University of Technology. The search for a successor is underway.
From 1 November 2025, the Executive Board of Leiden University will be as follows:
- Prof. Luc Sels, President
- Prof. Hester Bijl, Rector Magnificus
- Timo Kos, Vice-President