“Philip Ross to take over from Ronald Ramakers as of 1 January 2026”

Eindhoven, 19 September 2025 – The Supervisory Board of GLOW has appointed Philip Ross as the new director of the international light art festival in Eindhoven, effective 1 January 2026. Although he will officially take office in 2026, Ross will already be present alongside current director Ronald Ramakers during the 20th edition. This ensures a smooth transition as well as continuity, since many decisions for the 2026 edition are already being made. “The power of light has fascinated me all my life. Light connects people,” says Philip Ross.

Earlier this year, Ronald Ramakers announced his departure after ten years at the helm of GLOW. Ross expressed his appreciation for his predecessor: “Together with a dedicated and skilled team, Ronald has built this festival with heart and soul for a decade. The sense of connection that GLOW creates in this region is unlike anything I have seen elsewhere.”

GLOW in the Region
In recent years, GLOW has extended its reach from Eindhoven into the wider region, giving the festival a growing impact. Last year Helmond, Oirschot and Best joined in and this year also Veldhoven and Lieshout. This expansion has required changes in the organisation. To further shape this regional growth, Bart van Bokhoven has been appointed as operational director of GLOW in the Region. Having already driven the regional expansion for two years, he is a familiar face and will now focus even more on this role.

Experience and Dedication
Philip Ross is also no stranger to GLOW. In 2014, he contributed his first light artwork to the festival and has remained closely involved ever since. As a designer, researcher and entrepreneur, he has built up years of expertise at the crossroads of art, innovation and technology. This gives him a unique combination of creativity and business acumen. “I look forward to joining forces with an ambitious, skilled and positive team, and together with them and our partners, transforming the city every November into a vibrant heart of light art.”

Passion for Connection
“Light does something to people. It influences how we feel and behave, it attracts us and sets us in motion. Light connects. That power has fascinated me all my life, ever since my grandfather showed me his work as a light technician at Philips,” Ross explains. His passion to lead GLOW stems from that lifelong fascination. “Light connects, art connects. GLOW connects visitors with artists from around the world, but also with schools, businesses and municipalities. We create GLOW together. That’s what makes it such a unique example of accessible, unifying art.”

An Exciting Journey Ahead
Looking ahead, Ross emphasises the opportunities offered by new technologies. “Light art is constantly evolving. I see an exciting journey before us – one where we bring together stories, people and talent, and continue to push boundaries. This region has everything it takes to make that happen: art, innovation and light form a strong foundation to enjoy GLOW for many years to come.”