Professional Role and Responsibilities
Saskia Van Pelt currently serves as a Business Developer at Attero, a leading European waste management and circular economy company. Based in Lochem, Gelderland, Nederland, she is responsible for leading the development of new projects from concept through to execution. Her role entails constructing detailed business cases, market analyses, and strategic planning to support Attero’s expansion and innovation pipeline. A particular focus of her work at Attero is the production of biomethane through the digestion of agricultural waste streams, highlighting her involvement in the company’s move toward renewable energy solutions and circular economy initiatives.
Educational Background and Expertise
Ms. Van Pelt holds a PhD in climate science, specializing in analyzing uncertainties in climate projections, with a particular emphasis on extreme precipitation and discharge changes in the Rhine basin. This technical expertise underpins her credibility in sustainability-driven sectors and aligns with Attero’s environmental mandates. Additionally, she completed a Diploma programme focused on Customs and Supply Chain Compliance at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, indicating a strong foundation in trade operations and regulatory aspects relevant to logistics and resource management.
Career History and Relevant Experience
Prior to her current position at Attero, Saskia Van Pelt gained extensive experience in business development and innovation within several key sectors:
- She managed Weather Impact, a company she founded in 2014, where she was responsible for business development and establishing a global network of strategic clients and partners focused on climate risks and forecasting.
- She held a high-profile position as Director of Business Development Cargo at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, where she played an instrumental role in developing the airport’s innovative cargo strategy for nearly a decade. This role demonstrated her capacity for strategic growth and stakeholder management in complex, regulated environments.
- Her previous professional background also includes roles at the Port of Rotterdam Authority, Havenbedrijf Rotterdam, and Pemarsa S.A., strengthening her expertise in logistics, supply chain, and international trade.
Company Context and Strategic Environment
Attero is renowned as a leading European platform in waste management and circular economy solutions. Recently, Ardian Infrastructure acquired Attero from prior stakeholders, signifying a strategic investment aimed at growing the company’s footprint in sustainable infrastructure. This new ownership context likely fuels expanded investment in technological innovation, renewable energy (particularly biogas and biomethane), and circular waste solutions, directly relevant to Saskia Van Pelt’s project development remit.
Attero’s prominence is underscored by significant previous investments, including a €201 million acquisition of a 50% stake by 3i Infrastructure plc in 2018, and continued shareholder activity culminating in the 2023 sale to Ardian Infrastructure. These developments underscore Attero’s aggressive growth and positioning in clean tech, waste-to-energy conversion technologies, and sustainability leadership.
Skills and Professional Competencies
- Business Development: Proven track record of initiating and scaling projects from ideation through to revenue-generating execution.
- Climate Science Expertise: Scientific background in climate projections complements Attero’s sustainability agenda.
- Strategic Partnership Building: Experience establishing global networks and alliances in climate risk and logistics sectors.
- Regulatory and Supply Chain Compliance: Formal education and applied knowledge important in highly regulated circular economy and logistics contexts.
- Project Leadership: End-to-end project management capabilities demonstrated across multiple industries, from aviation cargo to environmental technology.
This profile indicates that Saskia Van Pelt operates at the intersection of environmental science, sustainable technology development, and strategic business growth within the circular economy framework. Her scientific academic foundation and extensive logistics and business development background provide a substantial platform to drive innovative renewable energy projects at Attero, particularly biomethane production. The company's ongoing ownership transition and strong industry investments present an environment orientation towards scaling sustainability solutions, aligning tightly with her professional mandate.
