Europe’s second-largest semiconductor equipment maker plans to appoint KPN finance chief Chris Figee as CFO, with the leadership transition set to conclude after shareholder approval in 2027.
ASM International (ASMI), Europe’s second-largest semiconductor equipment manufacturer, on Monday announced plans to appoint Chris Figee as its next chief financial officer, marking a planned leadership transition at the Dutch chip equipment company.
The company said Figee’s appointment will be subject to shareholder approval at an extraordinary general meeting, which is expected to be held in March 2027.
Figee currently serves as chief financial officer and a member of the board of management at Dutch telecommunications company KPN. He is scheduled to join ASM on December 1, 2026, allowing for a transition period before formally taking over the CFO role.
He will succeed Paul Verhagen, who had previously announced his intention to retire after completing his current term. According to ASM, Verhagen will step down as chief financial officer following the shareholder meeting but will continue supporting the company in an advisory capacity until the end of his contract to help ensure a smooth handover.
The leadership change comes as ASM continues to strengthen its position in the semiconductor equipment industry, where demand is being driven by investments in advanced chip manufacturing and artificial intelligence technologies. The company is one of the leading suppliers of wafer-processing equipment used in semiconductor fabrication and has benefited from long-term growth in the global chip market.
By bringing in Figee, who has extensive financial leadership experience from his tenure at KPN, ASM aims to maintain continuity in its financial strategy while preparing for the next phase of growth. The company said the transition has been planned well in advance, with Verhagen remaining involved during the handover period to support the incoming finance chief.
The appointment reflects ASM’s focus on ensuring a seamless leadership succession as it continues to expand its presence in the fast-growing semiconductor equipment market.
