1. Event report
Meet the CEO II
30 May 2012, at Bank Degroof Brussels
After a successful first edition last year, the PUB/MGM Alumni section decided to organise a second
edition of ‘Meet the CEO’.
The event took place in the wonderful 19th century settings of the headquarters of Bank Degroof in
Brussels, Belgium. We asked four speakers, each from different backgrounds and industries.
Koen Maes (MID 2011), CEO of Brussels Jazz Orchestra started by elaborating on how to manage a
jazz orchestra. He told us that when they received a phonecall to record the score of the movie ‘The
Artist’, which was awarded with an Academy Award earlier this year, they used both their gut feeling
and hard data to make the decision to accept the offer. Maes stressed the importance of an informal
coach within an organisation.
The second speaker was Pierre-Paul De Schrevel, member of the management committee of
Bank Degroof. To become a great manager, one should not become too trapped inside a specific
type of function, De Schrevel stated. He advised the audience to take the meeting minutes whenever
possible, and to work for learning organisations. Working 60 hours a week is advised if you want to
make it to the top, according to De Schrevel.
Tom Vande Cruys, CEO of electricity and natural gas provider Lampriris, was the third guest of the
evening. Van de Cruys stressed the importance of work life balance. He believes that being both a
family man and a huge sports fanatic makes him a better manager. These three aspects (work,
sports and family) need to be aligned in order for him to succeed. Keep your eye on the long term,
but don’t forget the details was another advice for the audience.
Finally, Jan Kriekels (ADV 2003) of JAGA presented his views. Kriekels didn’t want to become a
manager, but eventually he ended up as CEO. He looks towards problems on a global scale, after his
long travels in desolate places all across the planet. Kriekels flew in from China, where he just made
a large deal with local authorities. He elaborated on doing business with different cultures, how gut
feeling was the most important and how his company believes innovation is key to survival
(“innovate or die”).
After the four testimonials, there was a Q&A session. Finally, a networking reception closed the
evening. Around 50 people enjoyed the event, most of them would happily return to a third edition
next year!
By Thomas Vandormael (MGML 2009)