Robert Hermans

Senior Advisor

Robert Hermans, Senior Advisor at EMIR, brings over three decades of experience as an international strategic advisor and researcher, focusing on sustainable urban and economic development, smart cities, and new business development across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. His extensive expertise has made him a trusted advisor to cities, government entities, and national statistics offices worldwide.

Since 2021, Robert has served as a Strategic Advisor to prominent organisations, including the Director General of the Statistics Centre Abu Dhabi (SCAD), the Director of the UAE Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), and the Director of the Ras Al Khaimah Centre for Statistics and Studies (CSS).

Earlier in his career, Robert was instrumental in pioneering the creation of Urban Data Centres and Regional Data Alliances—groundbreaking initiatives that brought together National Statistics Offices and cities to accelerate their transformation into smart cities. In less than three years, he established over 20 Urban Data Centres and eight Regional Data Alliances in the Netherlands, positioning him as a leading figure and frequent speaker at major international conferences organised by the United Nations, OECD, IMF, and IDB.

During his tenure at Statistics Netherlands, Robert led efforts that positioned the organisation as a global leader in cross-border statistics and the innovative use of mobile positioning data for official statistics. His work also included supporting the development of the first Centre for Big Data Statistics in partnership with Korea Statistics, highlighting his forward-thinking approach to leveraging technology and data for public policy and urban development.

A graduate of Amsterdam University’s Urban Geography Department, Robert has held key roles in management, research, and advisory capacities across various government levels worldwide. His active participation on advisory boards and scientific committees across five continents underscores his global influence.