Neville Meijers

Last month, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) announced the appointment of Neville Meijers as chief executive officer (CEO). Neville brings to the Bluetooth SIG a long, proven track record of transformative leadership and relentless innovation that has helped elevate telecommunication and wireless businesses to new heights.

Neville’s background combines a wealth of technical, go-to-market, and standards experience and global business success in the cellular, satellite, broadcast, and internet industries from his many years in C-level executive positions. He will lead the Bluetooth SIG team in support of the development of new generations of Bluetooth® technology, advancing awareness of Bluetooth worldwide, and supporting the testing and qualification of new Bluetooth products for more than 40,000 members.

I recently had a chance to meet with our organization’s new CEO and learned a little more about his background as well as his goals for the Bluetooth SIG moving forward.

Q&A With Neville Meijers, Bluetooth SIG CEO

What excites you most about joining the Bluetooth SIG?

The wireless leadership position established by Bluetooth® technology is extraordinary. It is the most pervasive wireless technology in the world, and it has transformed the way we connect and communicate. Having dedicated most of my career to incubating and developing wireless technologies and businesses, Bluetooth technology is ingrained in my DNA. The more I learned about the Bluetooth SIG and the members behind the technology, the more inspired I became, and I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of this incredible team.

Joining the Bluetooth SIG provides a unique opportunity to be part of something truly special in the world of wireless technology. I’m honored to be entrusted with leading the Bluetooth SIG into its next chapter of growth and innovation, and I’m excited to collaborate with the talented staff and our pioneering member community to continue to drive the vision of a connected world, free from wires.

What personal or professional experiences have helped shape who you are?

Joining the Bluetooth SIG provides a unique opportunity to be part of something truly special in the world of wireless technology.

In 1999, I had the fortune of hosting President Nelson Mandela at the company I was running in Beijing China. He had just stepped down from being President of South Africa, and, after spending some time with me and my management team, he asked to speak to all the staff who were eager to meet him.

Despite President Mandela’s global recognition and accolades, he remained humble and grounded. He emphasized the importance of the collective effort, and his legacy of humility, leadership, perseverance, and unwavering commitment lives on not only in South Africa but also around the world. 

My two favorite quotes from President Mandela are “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up” and “It always seems impossible until it’s done”. President Mandela is a source of inspiration for me personally and professionally. 

In addition, having lived and worked in Europe, Asia, and the USA over the past 30+ years, I have come to appreciate how important it is to adapt and align my behaviors, norms, practices, and leadership style to create a cohesive world-class organization. These professional experiences have helped mold who I am today.

What would you like to say to the global community of Bluetooth SIG members as you embark on this journey with them?

The Bluetooth SIG organization and member community have a rich history of big dreams and even bigger achievements. I am honored to be a part of this esteemed community.

For more than 25 years, you have created connections that have opened new markets, shaped culture, and enriched lives. You have driven technology outcomes for the betterment of younger generations and humankind. Thanks to you, the Bluetooth SIG member community, Bluetooth technology has helped make the world a better place.

I want to celebrate the incredible accomplishments and leadership that have come before me, and I look forward to partnering together to continue to drive the Bluetooth SIG’s relentless pursuit of excellence, build the organization’s next chapter, and create an even brighter future.

A New Chapter for the Bluetooth SIG

I look forward to partnering together to continue to drive the Bluetooth SIG’s relentless pursuit of excellence, build the organization’s next chapter, and create an even brighter future.

Neville succeeds Mark Powell, who led the Bluetooth SIG for 12 years, leaving a legacy of organizational development and operational excellence that laid the necessary foundation to enable the technology to achieve mass adoption within consumer applications and rapid expansion into commercial and industrial markets.

“We are delighted to welcome Neville as our new CEO,” said Robert Hughes, chair of the Bluetooth SIG Board of Directors. “His capacity to inspire high-performing, collaborative teams, coupled with his rich history of visionary, strategic thinking make him the ideal leader to continue the organization’s pursuit of excellence and craft the strategies necessary for the Bluetooth SIG and Bluetooth technology to achieve even greater success.”

As Neville assumes his role as Bluetooth SIG CEO, he takes the helm of an organization and technology experiencing remarkable growth. In the 25 years since a handful of companies came together to create a simple, wire replacement technology, Bluetooth SIG membership has grown to include more than 40,000 companies spread evenly across the globe.

Over that same time, the Bluetooth SIG and its member companies have collaborated to continually expand the capabilities of the technology to address countless consumer, commercial, and industrial applications, establishing Bluetooth technology as the leading wireless standard. Recent analyst forecasts project that more than five billion products shipping in 2024 will include Bluetooth technology.

FEATURED EVENT

The Auracast™ Experience

The Auracast™ Experience is a global series of immersive demonstration events that allow visitors to experience some of the ways Auracast™ broadcast audio will help our world sound better.

LEARN MORE

Neville Meijers

2024年5月、Bluetooth SIGは新たなCEO(最高経営責任者)としてネヴィル・マイヤーズを迎えました。マイヤーズは、情報通信・ワイヤレスビジネスを新たな高みへと引き上げてきた、変革的リーダーシップと絶え間ないイノベーションを実現してきた長年の実績を持ち、Bluetooth SIGに新たな風を吹き込むことが期待されています。

マイヤーズはこれまで経営幹部職を歴任し、技術・商品化・標準化に関する豊富な経験と、セルラー・衛星・放送・インターネット業界においてグローバルに活躍してきた経歴を持ちます。今後は次世代Bluetooth®技術の開発支援、Bluetooth SIGを率い、Bluetoothの世界的な認知度向上、4万社を超えるメンバー企業のBluetooth製品のテストおよび認証支援に取り組む方針です。

このたび、Bluetooth SIGの新CEOであるマイヤーズに、これまでの経歴と、Bluetooth SIGの未来像について語っていただきました。

Bluetooth SIGのCEO、ネヴィル・マイヤーズとのQ&A

Bluetooth SIGのCEOに就任されて、最も意欲を感じていることは何ですか?

Bluetooth®技術は、他とは一線を画すワイヤレス分野のリーダー的地位を確立しています。Bluetoothは世界で最も広く普及しているワイヤレス技術であり、私たちが互いにつながり、コミュニケーションを実現する方法に変革をもたらしました。私はキャリアの大半を、ワイヤレス技術およびビジネスの創出と発展に捧げてきています。そのため私のDNAにはBluetooth技術が刻み込まれています。Bluetooth SIGとその技術を支えるメンバー企業について深く知るにつれ、この素晴らしいチームの一員になりたいという思いが強くなりました。

Bluetooth SIGの一員となることは、ワイヤレス技術の世界で真に特別な存在の一翼を担う稀有な機会です。成長と革新の次なる段階へとBluetooth SIGを導く役割を担えることを光栄に思っています。優秀なスタッフと、先駆的なメンバーコミュニティと協力し、「有線から解き放たれてつながる世界」というビジョンの実現をに向けて邁進できることを心から楽しみにしています。

これまでに培った個人的体験や職業上の体験の中で、何が現在の自分につながっていると思いますか。

1999年に、当時私が中国の北京で経営していた会社にネルソン・マンデラ大統領を迎える機会がありました。ちょうど彼が南アフリカ大統領を退任したばかりのときで、私や経営陣としばらく過ごした後、彼と会いたがっていたスタッフ全員と話がしたいと申し出ました。

マンデラ大統領は世界的に名が知られ、称賛されていたにもかかわらず、謙虚で堅実な方でした。大統領は力を合わせることの重要性を強調しました。彼の謙虚さ、リーダーシップ、粘り強さ、揺らぐことのない献身は、南アフリカだけでなく、世界中で受け継がれています。 

私が好きなマンデラ大統領の名言は2つあり、「勝者とは決して諦めることなく夢を追う人だ」と、「何事もやり遂げるまでは不可能に思えるものだ」というものです。私にとってマンデラ大統領は、個人的にも仕事の上でも、インスピレーションの源です。 

また、私はこれまで30年以上、ヨーロッパ、アジア、米国で暮らし、仕事をしてきました。その中で、まとまりのある世界トップクラスの組織を生み出すためには、自分の行動や規範、慣行、リーダーシップのスタイルを、適応させ、すり合わせを行っていくことの重要性を認識するようになりました。このような職業上の体験が、現在の自分につながっていると思います。

Bluetooth SIGのメンバーとこれから共に歩みを進めていく中で、このグローバルなメンバーコミュニティに伝えたいことは何ですか。

Bluetooth SIGの組織とメンバーコミュニティは、大きな夢を抱き、その夢を超える大きな成果を遂げてきた豊かな歴史を持っています。このような栄えあるコミュニティの一員となることは大変な名誉です。

Bluetooth SIGのメンバーコミュニティは、25年以上にわたり、それまでなかった接続を可能にして、新しい市場を開拓し、文化を形成して、人々の生活を豊かにしてきました。若い世代、そして人の暮らしをより良いものにしていくための技術的成果を生み出してきました。Bluetooth SIGメンバーコミュニティの皆様のおかげで、Bluetooth技術は世界をより良くすることに貢献してきたのです。

私の前任者の方々が成し遂げて来た、素晴らしい功績の数々に賛辞を贈ります。そして、Bluetooth SIGの卓越性へのたゆみない追求を押し進め、新たな扉を開き、さらに明るい未来を目指して、手を携えて進んでいくことを楽しみにしています。

Bluetooth SIGが迎える新章

マイヤーズは、12年にわたりBluetooth SIGを率いてきたマーク・パウエルを引き継ぎます。パウエルは、組織の成長とオペレーショナルエクセレンスという財産をのこしており、これによって、Bluetooth技術のさまざまな消費者アプリケーションへの大規模な導入と、商業および産業市場での急速なシェアの拡大を可能にするための必須の基盤が築かれています。

Bluetooth SIG取締役会長を務めるロバート・ヒューズは次のように述べています。「ネヴィルを新CEOとして迎えることを、私たちは大変嬉しく思っています。ネヴィルは、優秀かつ協調的なチームを鼓舞する才能を備え、彼のビジョンに富んだ戦略的な思考による数々の実績と相まって、理想のリーダーを体現しています。Bluetooth SIGは、彼のリーダーシップのもとでさらなる卓越性を追及し、組織およびBluetoothテクノロジーのより大きな成功に向けた戦略策定を続けていきます」

Bluetooth SIGのCEOに着任するマイヤーズは、目覚ましく成長する組織と技術のかじを取る立場に就くことになります。一握りの企業が、有線に置き換わるシンプルな技術を作り出すために手を携えてから25年、Bluetooth SIGのメンバーは世界中に4万社を超えて広がるまでになりました。

この25年の間に、Bluetooth SIGとメンバー企業はBluetooth技術を拡大しつづけるための共同作業を続け、無数の消費者向け・商用・産業用アプリケーションに対応して、Bluetooth技術を主要な無線規格として確立させてきました。最近のアナリスト予測では、2024年には50億を超える製品にBluetooth技術が搭載され、出荷されると予想されています。

GN Looks at Bluetooth® Trends We Can Expect to See Next Year

The GN Group – a Danish organization that drives the design and manufacture of…

Silicon Labs Provides Insight Into What We Can Expect From Bluetooth® Technology Next Year

Silicon Labs is a major contributor to the wireless connectivity space for the IoT.…

Qualcomm Highlights Past Bluetooth® Successes and Shares Insight Into What’s Ahead for Bluetooth Technology in 2025

An innovator of intelligent computing, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. strives to develop comprehensive solutions that…

A New FCC Requirement Will Pave the Way for Inclusive Audio Experiences for All

Last month, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced new rules establishing that 100 percent…

Unlock Accurate Ranging With Our Bluetooth® Wireless MCUs for Channel Sounding

See how our family of devices enable improved ranging technology for Channel Sounding, introduced…

Auracast™ Broadcast Audio for Developers: Best Practices for Developing Transmitters, Receivers, and Broadcast Assistants for Public Locations

Auracast broadcast audio technology will revolutionize how we experience audio. This interactive session will…

Robust Indoor Distance Estimation Algorithms for Bluetooth® Channel Sounding

Bluetooth Channel Sounding is a powerful feature setting a clear and solid foundation for…

What’s New with Bluetooth® Technology: Channel Sounding, Upcoming Features, and Key Technology Trends

With over 5 billion devices shipping each year, Bluetooth technology is the most widely…

Bluetooth® Core 6.0: What's New In The Latest Bluetooth Release?

Bluetooth technology is constantly growing, not only enhancing existing applications but also enabling entirely…

Taking Find My Applications to the Next Level with Telink

Discover how Telink’s solutions enhance Find My applications with cross-platform compatibility and Bluetooth Channel…

Bluetooth Channel Sounding Brings Crucial Ranging to New Bluetooth Devices

The Bluetooth SIG has relentlessly pushed forward the capabilities and feature sets of the…

Receiver Blocking Resilience Test Suite

This Test Suite tests the receiver blocking resilience of a Bluetooth implementation. It is…

The Perfect Fit for an Auracast™ Retrofit

Learn about Auracast™ broadcast audio retrofit solutions and opportunities.

Bluetooth® Core Specification v6.0 Feature Overview

Bluetooth® Core Specification version 6.0 includes several feature enhancements. This paper provides an overview…

Bluetooth® Channel Sounding Communications Guide

This communications guide includes Bluetooth® Channel Sounding key messages and positioning details. This document…

2024 Bluetooth® Market Update

The 2024 Bluetooth® Market Update examines the direction and adoption of Bluetooth technology.

Auracast Broadcast Audio Retrofit Solutions and Opportunities

This report by ABI Research delves into the opportunity for public spaces to offer…

Revolutionizing Online Order Fulfillment: Managing Mis Shipments

Discover how Wiliot, an ambient Internet of Things (IoT) pioneer, is revolutionizing the online…

What's the Range of Auracast Broadcast Audio?

Get the answer to the question everyone’s asking. Find out what the coverage area…

Can You Add Auracast Support to Existing Devices?

Are you waiting for native Auracast™ support? You might not have to. Find out…

Retail Pharmacy

A leading retailer is collaborating with Wiliot, an ambient Internet of Things (IoT) pioneer,…

Introducing Bluetooth® LE Audio

Now available for free digital download, get your copy of this in-depth, technical overview of the LE Audio specifications.

Bluetooth® Technology for Linux Developers

Learn how to use the interprocess communication system D-Bus and the BlueZ APIs to create Bluetooth applications for Linux computers.

Designing and Developing Bluetooth® Internet Gateways

Learn about Bluetooth® internet gateways, how to make them secure and scalable, and design and implement your own...

The Bluetooth LE Security Study Guide

Learn about fundamental security concepts, the security features of Bluetooth Low Energy, and gain some hands-on experience using those features in device code.

 Get Help