Born in 1965, Laurens van den Acker graduated from the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in the Netherlands with a Master of Science in Industrial Design. He started his career as an automotive designer in 1993. His career path led him successively to Audi in Germany, Ford in the United States and Mazda in Japan, making him a recognized figure in his field. In 2009, he was appointed to lead the Design department of Renault Group and its portfolio of brands (Renault, Dacia, and Renault Samsung Motors). 

His priority will be to build a strong and coherent Renault range. He laid the foundations for a more emotional design and made the brand's models identifiable at first glance through a strong visual identity. In 2021, Renault Group transforms itself and adopts a brand organization. With Laurens van den Acker as EVP, Design, Renault Group, Renault Group is overseeing a renewed Design department, centered around four brand design studios: Renault, Dacia, Alpine and Mobilize. The studios are supported by cross-functional departments: UX-UI Design, Experience Design and Design Operations.