Didier Bellens

Didier Bellens (born 9 June 1955) is a Belgian businessman. Until November 15, 2013, he was the CEO of Belgacom, the leading telecommunications company of Belgium. He is married and has two children.

Education

He graduated in 1978 as a commercial engineer at the Solvay Business School of the Université Libre de Bruxelles (Brussels).

Career

1978 Didier Bellens starts his career as an auditor at Deloitte Haskins & Sells. During his time at Deloitte he was engaged on the audits of the Belgian subsidiary of General Motors.

1981 He becomes financial director of the Compagnie Brussel Lambert holding (GBL). He manages the investment portfolio and prospects potential investments.

1985 He becomes Deputy Manager of the Pargesa Holding in Geneva where he is responsible for the management of holdings, mergers and acquisitions. Didier Bellens manages the participations of the GBL group in the company.

1992 Didier Bellens comes back to the Groupe Bruxelles Lambert as Managing Director, taking charge of the group's strategic participations in companies such as Royale Belge, the BBL, and the CLT. He plays an instrumental role in the merger between AXA and Royale Belge, and the change and the negotiations leading to the merger between CLT (Compagnie Luxembourgeoise de Télédiffusion) and UFA. He also participates in the exchange of shares between RTL and Bertelsmann, which gives RTL a minority participation in Bertelsmann, and the change of ownership of the BBL.

2001 He joins the RTL Group, which is created through the merger of CTL-UFA and Pearson Television (now FremantleMedia), as its CEO, where he focuses on the group's international expansion. He concludes the merger with Pearson Television and launches the RTL Group on the stock market.

2003 In March, Didier Bellens is appointed Belgacom's President and Chief Executive Officer as he succeeds John J. Goossens.

2009 His mandate at Belgacom is renewed in March for a six-year term.

2011 His position at the head of Belgacom almost ends after a strong dispute with the company board and the Belgian federal minister for Civil Service and Public Enterprises, Inge Vervotte.

2013 After a few incidents (accusation of conflict of interest, derogatory comments about the government, alleged covert promotion of confidante) the government decided the relationship of trust was seriously damaged and Didier Bellens' position was no longer justifiable. He was dismissed on the basis of serious professional misconduct.

Other activities

Didier Bellens is a member of the Board of Directors of Belgacom ICS, the Telindus Group, Proximus, Scarlet SA, and Tango. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of AXA Belgium, VOKA (the Flemish Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and is on the steering committee of the FEB (Federation of Commerce in Belgium). In addition, he serves as independent Chairman of the Appointments and Remuneration Committee, and as independent Director of the Board of Directors of the Compagnie Immobilière de Belgique. He is also advisor to CV Capital Partners and member of the International Advisory Council of the New York Stock Exchange.

He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Erasmus Foundation and the ULB Foundation, and serves as Vice Chairman of the Solvay Business School's Consultative Council.

References

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