Dr. Gerd Meier zu Köcker

Curriculum vitae

In 2014, Dr. Gerd Meier zu Köcker became CEO of the ClusterAgentur Baden-Württemberg. Gerd, who has a PhD in Material Science with focus on Manufacturing Technologies, is working in the fields of cluster developing and value chain mapping, innovation policies, cluster management excellence, private sector development and competitiveness. He has led various cluster strategy development projects, advised cluster organisations in management excellence and sustainable financing. Furthermore, he conducted cluster trainings in several parts of the world – mainly in Europe, Africa and Asia. Gerd served the European Cluster Policy Group from 2007 until 2008, was the key initiator of the European Cluster Excellence Initiative (ECEI) in 2009, established the European Cluster Excellence Foundation with Emiliano Duch, founded the European Secretariat for Cluster Analyses (ESCA) in 2011 and led the European Cluster Observatory from 2013 until 2016. Since then he has done cluster management training and benchmarking as well as cluster development in more than 250 assignments world-wide, including teaching for the European Cluster Excellence Foundation. His recent focus is cluster and value chain transformation in Africa. Gerd was involved in the design of many cluster programmes and support schemes, e.g. in Norway (NCE/GCE programme), in the Innovation Networks Denmark, the German go-Cluster initiative or the Flemish Spearhead Cluster.He has widely written about value chain mapping, cluster development, innovation and cluster policy, including joint publications with Prof. Foray in connection with the further development of the S3 approach. He is a frequent speaker and has given many guest lectures at universities worldwide (e.g. Harvard Business and Kennedy School, National University Singapore, Maastricht University). Currently he is teaching management at the University for Applied Science in Kehl.