Barend Verachtert is the Head of the ‘Materials for tomorrow’ Unit in the Research and Innovation Directorate-General (DG RTD) of the European Commission. The unit is in charge of the development and implementation of research and innovation policies for new materials and technologies. Over the last 8 years, he has held various positions within DG RTD in the field of the bioeconomy.

During its start-up phase, he was the interim Executive Director of the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking, a public-private partnership.

Previous assignments in DG RTD included the SME unit in charge of the development of SME research policies and the promotion of SME participation in FP6 and FP7, and the Food Quality and Safety unit.

Before joining the European Commission in 1998, he was a technology acquisition manager for Plant Genetic Systems NV, a Belgian plant biotechnology company.

He obtained a PhD in biology from the University of Leuven (1988).