Innsider is delighted to congratulate Jorrit Penninga on 5 years at INNOPAY. To celebrate this professional milestone, we asked him to tell us more about himself and his work at INNOPAY, and to share his views on data sovereignty and digital sustainability.
Jorrit joined INNOPAY as a Business Analyst in May 2017, straight out of Delft University of Technology, with a master’s in Systems Engineering, Policy Analysis & Management (including a specialisation in Transport and Logistics). As Programme Secretary, he is currently involved in developing a large data sharing scheme.
I’ve always been interested in solving problems, and at INNOPAY I’m able to be part of the solution for complex problems that often require a new or even unknown way of thinking. Additionally, all INNOPAY’s projects – which are mainly in the data sharing, digital identity or payments arena – allow you to have a positive impact on society, whether by helping a company with their business or by helping a consortium of organisations to tackle the challenges of the future.
I see that the general awareness of data sovereignty and digital sustainability is growing, although clients are not always familiar with these specific terms. Amongst other things, new business opportunities, new innovations and new regulations such as the EU Data Act are increasing the need for market players to think about data sovereignty and digital sustainability to remain relevant.
The European Commission plans to revise the existing eIDAS directive, and the new proposal includes the introduction of a Digital Identity Wallet for every EU citizen. This is likely to have an enormous impact in many areas of people’s lives, so it could be a real game changer in terms of digital sustainability. It’s very exciting to be professionally involved in this as a member of INNOPAY’s Digital Identity team.
I’m currently working on my programme management skills, and I recently attended a training course called ‘Managing Successful Programmes’. So over the next few years I hope to progress and become responsible for guiding larger programmes towards delivery.
That people often underestimate what they can achieve in the long term.