12 Questions with Remco op den Kelder

As Global President of Inizio Advisory, Remco op den Kelder leads the Advisory leadership team in facilitating continued growth globally, connecting the organisation’s expertise to drive results for clients and create a positive impact on patients.

Op den Kelder joined Putnam, a strategy consulting firm and part of Inizio Advisory, in 2000, spending the first 12 years as a strategic advisor to a number of top 20 biopharmaceutical companies. After becoming a Partner in 2012, he supported the growth of the firm from a small boutique to one of the leading global life science strategy consultancies. In 2019, op den Kelder became the CEO of Putnam and supported the team in driving strong organic growth and managing strategically relevant acquisitions to make the firm what it is today – a strong 400+ team and leading advisory organisation for the life sciences. In 2025, he became the Global President of Inizio Advisory.

Op den Kelder grew up in the Netherlands and received his Bachelor’s degree in International Management from Fontys University, Eindhoven and his Master’s degree in International Marketing from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland.

What are the main responsibilities of your current role? As Global President of Inizio Advisory, my role is anchored on enabling teams to drive success – for our business, teams, and the clients we support. My leadership includes setting the vision, strategic goals, and objectives that guide the organisation on a long-term path of growth and innovation. I prioritise fostering team engagement, ensuring people feel part of the journey and motivated to contribute to the collective vision of Inizio Advisory’s future.

What is your background prior to this role, and how did it prepare you for the work you do now? I began my career at Putnam (strategy consulting partner part of Inizio Advisory) about 25 years ago after completing an undergraduate degree in International Management and a postgraduate degree in International Marketing. As a self-proclaimed problem-solver, I have, for a large part of my career, been fuelled by breaking down complex client challenges and developing strategies and solutions to solve those challenges. I continue to use this skill set in my current role, now from an Inizio Advisory perspective, rather than a client-specific one, to analyse challenges and opportunities and shape strategies and tactics that help our business thrive in an increasingly complex environment.

What is your personal mission statement? What values keep you centred in your work? Teamwork creates impact. I am guided by a commitment to teamwork, inclusion, and purpose-driven impact. I believe that a successful business is not possible without an engaged team, where people feel connected to the objectives and shared vision. Creating an environment where people feel they belong, are empowered to be themselves, and can respectfully and constructively speak their minds is paramount. Above all, I am focused, through teamwork, on enabling the end goal of Inizio Advisory to support our clients in delivering meaningful outcomes for the patients they serve.

What are your biggest short-term goals for this year and next year? In the near term, I am focused on navigating the integration of AI into our business that is both productive and balanced. I am keen to ensure that AI is used to enhance, not replace, human insights and impact – supporting teams and clients while ensuring we maintain the strategic creativity and depth of understanding that defines Inizio Advisory.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment to date? My proudest professional accomplishment has been the impact we have had on patients. As I reflect on the client teams and, in turn, the innovations we have supported over the years, it is the direct impact that we’ve had on millions of individuals that fills me with pride. Sure, we play a small role in driving patient innovation, but what we do makes a difference in patient lives, and that’s what matters most.

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the industry right now? Uncertainty is the most pressing challenge facing the industry today – stemming from political shifts, speed of scientific advancements, the rise of China as an innovator, and the impact of AI. It’s crucial to think critically about how to work within these uncertainties and acknowledge their existence when developing paths forward for our clients and Inizio Advisory.

What excites you most about current industry trends? I am energised by the accelerating pace of scientific innovation, leading to true breakthroughs that address some of the key outstanding health challenges we continue to wrestle with. Scientific innovation should be celebrated, but we must also ensure its scientific value is understood, quantified, and clearly communicated, so that innovation is rewarded and patients gain access.

How has digital technology changed your work or workplace culture? Digital technology, specifically data and analytics, supported by AI, has fundamentally changed the market landscape by providing real-time insights that can drive actions. This evolution has enabled us with, among others, the ability to identify patients in real time, which is critical to drive improved outcomes. We’re able to assess the impact of interventions at a speed and scale that can inform policy decisions, and for our clients, we can drive more targeted engagement strategies. Ultimately, data, analytics, and AI allow us to improve the impact we can have as an industry on the HCPs and patients that we support.

What has changed most about the industry since the start of your career? The one constant in my 25-year career has been change itself. Scientific and technological advancements have reshaped the industry continuously, but in recent years, the impact of AI has been particularly significant, and the speed of that impact has been unprecedented. It has opened new ways of thinking, strategising, and delivering value to clients, redefining the industry’s possibilities. Throughout all the evolution, what remains is the power of curious, engaged, and passionate people who are empowered and motivated to help our clients drive change in an ever-evolving landscape. Ultimately, success comes down to having the right people and equipping them with the tools to lead, adapt, and thrive in a rapidly shifting market.

If you could change one thing about the pharma industry, what would it be? There are persistent barriers that limit access to treatment, with the complexity of pricing and access structures and insurance systems as major hindrances to care. There are incredible treatments and preventions, but it can be very challenging to obtain access to them for large parts of the population, often further amplifying challenges associated with health equity. Working with all relevant stakeholders to ensure more equitable access to care is essential in fulfilling the industry’s promise to patients.

What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time? Outside of work, I enjoy spending time in Maine (in the northeast part of the US) with my wife, three children, and dog – especially in the summer months. I find joy in outdoor activities like hiking and being on the water. During the rest of the year, much of my free time is dedicated to supporting my children’s sports.

How do you manage health, fitness, and wellness in your life? I enjoy starting my day early and prioritising health and wellness by incorporating morning workouts and taking time for movement throughout the day. While I wish my knees would allow for more running, I opt for movement on the rowing machine or elliptical. Walking, especially during the day, while listening to music or catching up with my wife or kids, has not only been valuable for my physical health, but also a way to decompress and gain new perspectives. This balance truly helps me stay centred and focused, and I hope to encourage my team to allow for those supportive pockets of time.

Connect with Remco op den Kelder on LinkedIn.