Roy Jakobs

Roy Jakobs is a Dutch business executive and global health-technology leader who serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Philips, one of the world’s leading medical technology and healthcare innovation companies. Based in the Netherlands, he assumed the role in October 2022 and also serves as Chairman of the Board of Management and the Executive Committee, overseeing Philips’ strategy, global operations, and transformation into a focused health-technology leader.

Born in the Netherlands, Jakobs has built an international career spanning energy, publishing, and healthcare technology. Before becoming CEO, he held a series of senior leadership positions within Philips after joining the company in 2010. These included roles such as Chief Business Leader of Connected Care, where he helped lead the company’s digital health strategy and strengthen its connected healthcare platforms.

As CEO, Jakobs has focused on advancing Philips’ mission to improve global health outcomes through innovation and technology. Under his leadership, the company has emphasized patient safety, operational transformation, and AI-enabled healthcare solutions, while expanding systems that support hospitals, clinics, and home-based care. His tenure began during a challenging period for Philips following a major recall of respiratory devices, and he has since led efforts to stabilize the company and restore growth while accelerating its transition toward advanced medical technologies and digital health solutions.

Earlier in his career, Jakobs worked for Royal Dutch Shell and later held leadership roles at Elsevier, gaining extensive experience in global markets, technology innovation, and large-scale organizational transformation.

Recognized for his strategic leadership and experience managing multinational organizations, Jakobs continues to guide Philips’ efforts to expand access to high-quality healthcare worldwide. As of 2026, he remains actively leading the company’s global strategy, with the Philips supervisory board proposing his re-appointment as CEO in recognition of progress made under his leadership.