“Mentice’s solutions will become even more crucial in the future”, says new CEO
Mentice has announced the appointment of Frans Venker as its new CEO, effective January 1, 2025. He brings over 25 years of industry experience, with a strong background in driving innovation and growth in medical imaging and therapy solutions.
Mentice is a leading developer of simulation solutions for Image-guided Interventional Therapies (IGIT). The company offers a wide range of products and software to healthcare professionals and the medtech industry.
Physicians use Mentice solutions in their daily clinical practice to enhance procedural skills and improve clinical outcomes, while medical device manufacturers leverage them for training, education, sales, marketing, and research. Additionally, Mentice has strategic alliances with industry leaders like Philips Healthcare and Siemens Healthineers to integrate its solutions into their products.
Frans Venker appointed as CEO
On November 28, Mentice announced that Frans Venker will assume the CEO role at the beginning of next year, succeeding Göran Malmberg who will transition to an advisory role after 17 years of leadership. Malmberg’s retirement was initially announced in May.
Frans Venker has long experience in the industry addressing the same or related medical needs and therapies as Mentice. He has held multiple senior roles at Philips, most recently leading the US Business Unit for Computed Tomography and Advanced Molecular Imaging. He previously served as Business Leader for Image-Guided Therapy at Philips North America and was Global Marketing Leader for Diagnostic X-Ray in Shanghai, China. His extensive experience also includes various leadership roles across Europe.
Venker holds a Master of Science degree in Applied Physics from the University of Groningen and an Executive MBA degree from the Rotterdam School of Management.
Global growth
Frans Venker steps into the CEO role at a pivotal moment as the company focuses on expanding its market position internationally to drive growth. Magnus Nilsson, Chair of the Board, expressed strong confidence in Venker’s ability to drive Mentice’s strategic goals forward:
– Mentice is at a key stage in its journey, and we are thrilled to welcome Frans Venker as our new CEO. His experience in our business areas and vision align perfectly with our strategic ambitions, and we are confident that he will succeed in using the progress made to take Mentice to the next stage in reaching its full potential.
Interview with Frans Venker
BioStock contacted Frans Venker to gain insight into his previous experience and his vision for Mentice’s future.
What drew you to the CEO role at Mentice, and what excites you most about leading the company at this stage?
– What draws me to Mentice is the company’s mission to enhance patient outcomes and support healthcare providers in improving interventional procedures. Mentice offers exceptional clinical solutions, underpinned by strong industry partnerships and a team with deep technical and clinical expertise. Interventional treatments, whether in neurology, cardiology, or peripheral vascular disease, have the power to transform lives by significantly improving the quality of patient care.
– Mentice is currently at a pivotal stage in its growth and has a unique opportunity to expand its clinical training and practice solutions to serve a larger group of interventionalists. Achieving this goal will not only improve treatment outcomes and benefit more patients but also help reduce hospital costs.
»Mentice is currently at a pivotal stage in its growth and has a unique opportunity to expand its clinical training and practice solutions«
What specific qualities or experiences do you believe will help you lead Mentice effectively?
– I have been fortunate to work in the healthcare sector for over 25 years, with a deep understanding of the industry, particularly in the minimally invasive space where Mentice operates. Throughout my career, I have collaborated with numerous global hospitals, IDNs, and specialists to provide interventional rooms integrated with advanced devices. I have also been involved in optimizing imaging and treatment solutions to enhance interventional procedures. Supporting customers in their mission to treat patients is the core reason I am in this field.
– I have had the privilege of leading large teams across China, Europe, and the USA. These diverse experiences will enable me to contribute significantly to Mentice’s continued growth. I am excited about the opportunity to join their world-class team and help expand their solutions to an even broader, global customer base.
»I have had the privilege of leading large teams across China, Europe, and the USA. These diverse experiences will enable me to contribute significantly to Mentice’s continued growth.«
Can you elaborate on your background in areas relevant to Mentice’s specialized niche?
– Mentice offers clinical training and practice solutions for interventional procedures. In my previous role at Philips, I was closely involved in the strategic execution of innovations aimed at advancing interventional procedures, including the design of interventional rooms integrated with advanced devices. Over the past 25 years, I have held a variety of roles across the healthcare sector, ranging from product marketing and design to sales leadership and general management. These positions have spanned multiple regions, including Europe, China, and the USA. I have a passion for leading global organisations, focusing their efforts, and driving them toward continued success.
With your background in the field, why do you believe Mentice’s solutions are essential for the industry and healthcare systems?
– Mentice’s solutions are not only essential but will become even more crucial in the future for two main reasons. First, interventional procedures are growing increasingly complex due to ongoing innovations in the neuro, cardiac, and oncology fields. As a result, enhancing skills is vital, not only for new interventionalists but also for highly experienced specialists treating patients with complex anatomy. Second, hospitals are continuously grappling with staff shortages, making it essential to ensure that their teams can effectively perform routine procedures. What better way to train any interventionalist than on a simulator? I am confident in Mentice’s future and its significant market potential.
How do you envision the future of interventional therapies and simulation, and what role do you see Mentice playing in shaping that progress?
– Mentice will continue to play a critical role in both existing interventional procedures and the development of new, innovative treatment solutions. To sustain this growth, the focus must be on maintaining strong relationships with leading medical device companies to support the introduction of new treatments. Additionally, collaboration with medical societies and hospitals is essential to integrate simulation equipment into healthcare settings for training fellows and physicians.
»Mentice will continue to play a critical role in both existing interventional procedures and the development of new, innovative treatment solutions.«
What will be your top priorities when you assume the role of CEO?
– For me, the top priority is to build strong relationships with our partners, visit leading physicians, and get to know the Mentice team. Mentice provides an essential service to both patients and healthcare providers, and we must ensure that more hospitals and device companies gain access to these solutions. The focus is on growth—specifically, expanding the global reach of our VIST simulation equipment. By doing so, we will drive better outcomes, reduce costs, and ultimately be there for our patients and care providers.
»For me, the top priority is to build strong relationships with our partners, visit leading physicians, and get to know the Mentice team.«
