Meet Neville Meijers, the New
CEO of the Bluetooth SIGBluetooth SIGの新CEO、ネヴィル・マイヤーズが描く未来

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?

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

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.