Born in 1955, in Kortrijk, Belgium Holds a Bachelor degree in Philosophy and a Master of Law degree from the University of Leuven (Belgium), a Master in Management degree from the Vlerick Business School (Gent, Belgium) and an MBA from Indiana University (Bloomington,USA) . Started his career at BIC Carpets from 1981 to 1986 as Executive Director, from 1986 to 1995 as CEO and until today as Chairman. After joining the Board of UCO Textiles in 1991 he delisted the Company, diversified and internationalized its activities and still serves today as its Executive Chairman. In 1992 he founded the Vlerick Group, which acts as an active and long term investor in listed companies, private equity and real estate. He is Chairman of Pentahold and of Raymond-Uco Denim, Deputy-Chairman of Smartphoto and of Corelio and Director of BMT, Concordia and LVD. He is an Independent Director of Besix, Etex, Exmar, Hamon and Thrombogenics. He serves as Chairman of the Forum of the Eurometropolis Lille-Kortrijk-Tournai, of the Belgo-Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and of the Stichting Professor Vlerick. In the BoD of KBC Group: Deputy chairman, Non-executive director, Representative of core shareholders, Member of the Nomination Committee, Member of the Remuneration Committee

  Business & Management