Exclusive: Greener’s New CEO Shares His Vision

On September 1st, Jasper van den Driest will officially step into the role of Greener’s new CEO. With a background in mission-driven energy companies and a clear vision for the future, he brings both experience and ambition to the table. We sat down with him to discuss why he joined Greener, his evolving views on leadership, and how he sees the energy transition unfolding in the years ahead. 

What made you decide to join Greener at this particular moment in your career?

Greener had been on my radar for a while. The mission resonated deeply as it’s very much in line with what drew me to Vandebron (the company where I serve as CEO until this August). I believe that what Greener is working towards is not just necessary, but achievable. What made the timing right now especially compelling is the aspect of international growth. This is an emerging market with huge potential, and Greener’s product is well-positioned to capitalise on that. It felt like the right moment to step in and help scale something meaningful. 

What did you believe about leadership 10 years ago that you now see differently?

I’ve been in leadership roles for about 20 years. Early on, I thought leadership meant being out in front, taking charge and setting direction. Around 10 years ago, I started to see the value in leading from behind: empowering others and letting the team shine. These days, I see it as situational. Sometimes the moment calls for stepping forward decisively; other times, the best thing you can do is step back and support your team from behind. The key is knowing when to do which.

Looking five years ahead, what do you hope people will say Greener changed for the better?

The obvious answer would be that we made a real contribution to accelerating the energy transition, and of course, I do hope people say that. 

But what would be even more powerful is if Greener becomes a visible example to others. I believe we have the potential to scale massively, and what truly excites me is the opportunity to show that it’s possible to stay mission-driven while growing across European markets. 

Too often, sustainability-focused companies shy away from their success, almost as if they’re embarrassed by it. But I think that’s a missed opportunity. We should be proud to be profitable and successful, because that’s what enables us to grow and create even more impact. In the end, isn’t that better for our planet? 

So yes, I hope people say we helped accelerate the energy transition.
But more than that, I hope they see Greener as a company that was able to scale massively and increase their impact while staying true to its mission and values, inspiring other companies to do the same. 

When you look at the transition to clean energy, where do you see batteries making the biggest difference that people underestimate today?

I think people still underestimate the versatility of batteries and their economic benefits. 

The energy transition is inevitable. And batteries play a key role in that shift. They store energy when it’s available and release it during peak demand. Plus, they can be deployed anywhere: in cities, remote locations, in nature, at the shore. That makes them an extremely flexible and essential tool for keeping the grid balanced. 

Batteries make it possible to support projects with high energy demand even when there’s only a limited grid connection available. They also offer a solution for solar and wind, renewable sources that are normally quite volatile suddenly become a much more reliable option when they’re able to be stored for later. In short: batteries are incredibly versatile and will play an essential role in the energy transition. 

At the same time, the transition demands smarter energy use. Not just at the right time, but in the right amount. Think of charging your car during off-peak hours, rather than the moment you get home. 

The beauty of electrification is that it’s not just more sustainable, it’s also more economically attractive than fossil alternatives. The advantage we have is clear: every company and government wants to go greener, as long as it makes financial sense. And with us, it does.

What’s the question you wish people asked you more often?

When you’re in a leadership role, people often come to you expecting answers. But I don’t always have the technical answer. A question I wish people asked more often is: “What do you think I would recommend?” That flips the conversation. It encourages people to use their own expertise and judgement, rather than just looking upward for direction. In many cases, they already know the right path forward. 

How do you energise outside of work?

I surf. It’s more of a passion than just a hobby; it really recharges me.