CEO Insights Magazine

As transportation systems become increasingly connected and data-driven, ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) is playing a pivotal role in addressing challenges such as traffic congestion, road safety, emissions reduction, and seamless mobility. By enabling real-time information exchange between vehicles, infrastructure, and users, ITS is transforming the way people and goods move across cities, regions, and countries. The leaders driving the ITS industry play a critical role in shaping this transformation.

Beyond advancing technology, they are responsible for fostering collaboration among governments/policymakers, industry stakeholders, researchers, and technology providers. By aligning diverse interests around common goals, these leaders ensure that innovation delivers meaningful benefits for society while supporting economic growth and sustainability. Among these influential leaders is Joost Vantomme, CEO of ERTICO – ITS Europe who plays a crucial role in bringing these stakeholders together to orchestrate innovation in transport and mobility in Europe.

A Belgian national with over three decades of experience in legal, regulatory, and public policy affairs, Joost has built a distinguished career at the intersection of technology, business, and governance. His professional journey spans telecommunications, postal services and logistics, e-commerce, and the automotive sector, where he has consistently contributed to market liberalization, regulatory development, and stakeholder engagement.

Beginning his career at Proximus during the liberalization of European telecommunications markets, he gained valuable expertise in regulatory policy and competition frameworks. He later spent more than a decade at bpost, helping shape postal sector reforms while also serving in leadership roles within European and international organizations. His experience expanded through strategic public affairs consultancy with a large firm in the European decision making center of Brussels and senior positions in the automotive industry, including at FEBIAC and the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), where he championed connected and automated mobility across Europe. He also held various Board position in leading European organizations.

Since becoming CEO of ERTICO – ITS Europe in 2022, Joost has leveraged his extensive expertise in regulation, innovation, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to advance intelligent transport systems and sustainable mobility. Fluent in four languages and armed with advanced legal and business qualifications, he continues to play a key role in shaping the future of smart mobility across Europe. Joost is also part of various expert groups of the European Commission and international organizations across the globe.

CEO Insights engaged in a one-on-one interaction with Joost Vantomme, CEO of ERTICO – ITS Europe, let’s hear from him.

What inspired you to pursue a career at the intersection of mobility, technology, policy, and regulation?

What inspired me most was seeing how innovation can improve people's lives when supported by the right policy framework. Throughout my career, from telecommunications and postal services to automotive and smart mobility, I have witnessed how technology, regulation, and business can work together to create meaningful societal impact. Mobility fascinates me because it connects people, goods, and data while addressing critical challenges such as safety, sustainability, and efficiency. I believe technology alone is not enough; successful deployment requires collaboration, public trust, investment, and effective governance. Being part of this transformation and helping shape a smarter, more sustainable mobility future continues to motivate me every day.

As CEO of ERTICO – ITS Europe, what is your overarching vision for the organization?

My vision is to ensure ERTICO remains Europe’s leading platform for intelligent, connected, automated, and sustainable mobility. I believe our greatest strength lies in bringing together governments, cities, industry leaders, researchers, and technology providers in a neutral and collaborative environment. Through our Vision 2035, we are focused on accelerating innovation while ensuring practical deployment that benefits society. Our priorities include safer mobility, more efficient logistics, smarter urban transport, and seamless cross-border connectivity. By promoting digitalization, data-driven mobility, connectivity, and standardization, I aim to help create a transport ecosystem that is sustainable, resilient, user-centric, and aligned with Europe’s long-term competitiveness and growth ambitions.

How do you align diverse stakeholder interests to achieve common goals?

I start by identifying shared objectives. While stakeholders often have different priorities, they usually agree on broader goals such as safety, sustainability, efficiency, and innovation. My role is to create an environment built on trust, transparency, and open dialogue where these common interests can emerge. A clear strategic framework, such as our Vision 2035, provides a shared direction and helps align expectations. Strong governance is equally important, ensuring fairness and accountability in decision-making. I also believe that collaborative projects build trust faster than discussions alone. When stakeholders work together on tangible initiatives and see measurable results, they develop confidence in one another and strengthen long-term partnerships.

What leadership principles have remained constant throughout your career?

Three principles have guided me throughout my career: integrity, collaboration, and purpose. I believe trust is the foundation of leadership, and trust is earned through transparency, consistency, and accountability. I have never believed in the idea of a heroic individual leader; meaningful change comes from people working together across organizations and sectors. Purpose is equally important because it provides the motivation to navigate challenges and remain focused on long-term impact. What has evolved is the speed at which leaders must adapt. Today’s environment demands agility, resilience, and continuous learning. I have also come to appreciate that strong leadership is as much about empowering people and nurturing culture as it is about strategy.

Can you share a strategic achievement that has had a meaningful impact?

One achievement I am particularly proud of is launching ERTICO’s Vision 2035 framework, which provides a clear strategic direction for the organization and our partners. It was the result of extensive collaboration and created a shared roadmap for the future of intelligent transport systems in Europe. Another significant accomplishment is my work on the Data for Road Safety platform, which brings together vehicle, infrastructure, and crowdsourced data to improve road safety and save lives. Both initiatives demonstrate my belief that innovation must be supported by practical deployment and measurable outcomes. I am also proud of our organizational achievements, including strengthening our culture and earning recognition as an outstanding workplace.

What lessons have you learned about building consensus?

The most important lesson I have learned is that consensus starts with listening. Before advocating for a position, I focus on understanding the motivations, concerns, and priorities of different stakeholders. Trust is another critical ingredient; it takes years to build and can disappear quickly if transparency or consistency is lacking. I have also learned that neutral conveners play an essential role in bringing diverse groups together around shared goals. Finally, I do not equate consensus with unanimity. Effective consensus means agreeing on a common direction and purpose, even when participants have different views on specific solutions. That shared commitment is often enough to create meaningful progress and lasting impact.

How do you balance innovation with governance and sustainability?

I believe innovation and governance should reinforce one another rather than compete. Strong governance creates the conditions that allow innovation to develop responsibly and at scale. My approach is what I call structured experimentation - encouraging new ideas while establishing clear objectives, accountability measures, and performance indicators. At ERTICO, our Innovation Platforms provide a framework where technologies can move from concept to deployment in a controlled and collaborative manner. Sustainability is always a key consideration because innovation should create long-term value for society, the economy, and the environment. I also believe investing in people and maintaining organizational resilience are essential parts of ensuring sustainable innovation and growth.

What emerging opportunities do you see for Belgium and Europe in future mobility solutions?

I believe Europe is uniquely positioned to lead the next generation of mobility innovation thanks to its strong research capabilities, industrial expertise, and progressive regulatory frameworks. Belgium, in particular, benefits from its strategic location and close connection to European institutions. I see enormous opportunities in areas such as mobility data spaces, artificial intelligence, connected and automated driving, smart logistics, and integrated multimodal transport systems. Europe has the potential not only to lead technologically but also to set global standards for responsible governance and trusted data sharing. If we successfully combine innovation with effective policy frameworks, we can create solutions that enhance competitiveness, sustainability, and quality of life for citizens across Europe.

What advice would you offer to the next generation of leaders in mobility, technology, and public policy?

My advice is simple: stay curious, keep learning, and embrace complexity. The challenges facing mobility today require leaders who can understand technology, policy, economics, and human behavior simultaneously. I encourage young professionals to avoid becoming too narrowly specialized too early in their careers. Building strong relationships and earning trust are equally important because leadership is ultimately about enabling others to succeed. I also recommend seeking out difficult challenges rather than avoiding them. The most meaningful opportunities often lie in uncertain and complex environments. Above all, remain connected to the people your work serves. Purpose and empathy are what give leadership its lasting impact and relevance.

Joost Vantomme, CEO, ERTICO – ITS Europe

Joost Vantomme is the CEO of ERTICO – ITS Europe and a recognized leader in intelligent mobility, transport policy, and regulatory affairs. With over 30 years of experience spanning telecommunications, logistics, automotive, and public policy, he specializes in building multi-stakeholder partnerships that advance connected, automated, and sustainable mobility across Europe through innovation, collaboration, and strategic leadership.