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 The team behind the Federation

Our members may be the driving force behind Belgian Chambers, but a team of professionals makes sure it keeps running smoothly every day. In order to perform our tasks to the best of our ability, we have a team of experienced, competent and above all dedicated employees.

You will also find more information about the members of our Board of Directors below.

Members of the Board of Directors

The team members

profielfoto president-voorzitter Belgian Chambers René Branders

René Branders, President

  • Civil engineering (chemistry) studies, Université Libre de Bruxelles
  • CEO FIB Belgium
  • President of the Federation of Belgian Enterprises, President of the Belgian technology federation Agoria, President of the European Committee of Industrial Furnace and Heating Equipment Associations (CECOF)

“The family business, FIB Belgium, is focused on the worldwide export of industrial equipment. International business is therefore in our blood. Thanks to the 57 countries I have visited during my  professional career and my experience in negotiating, with a strong dimension of intercultural dialogue, I understand the advantages of international business and the obstacles or challenges companies face.”

profielfoto General Manager Wouter Van Gulck

Wouter Van Gulck, General Manager

Master of Laws at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Business Management at the Vlerick Management School.

Trade Commissioner for Flanders Investment & Trade in Johannesburg and New York between 1995 and 2004. Passionate about foreign countries, cultures, people.

“What always strikes me when I meet a colleague from a local Chamber abroad, is the sense of being with family.”

profielfoto Legal Affairs Manager Chritophe Coulie

Christophe Coulie, Legal Affairs Manager

Master of Laws at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.

Responsible for certificates of origin, ATA Carnets and digital certificates. Fascinated by what Belgians realize abroad.

“Exporting companies conduct a daily battle with ‘red tape’. My job is to look with them for simplifications and to digitize where possible.”

profielfoto International Manager Veerle Geeraerts

Veerle Geeraerts, Project and International Affairs Manager

Master in Translation English – Spanish at Vlaamse Economische Hogeschool (VLEKHO), Brussels

Assistant in the Economic and Commercial Department of the Embassy of Uruguay in Brussels, 1991 – 2001

“An important element in project operations is working together to achieve a common goal. Collaboration makes people grow.”

profielfoto Formalities advisor Cindy Peeters

Cindy Peeters, Export Formalities Advisor

Bachelor in Logistics Management at Thomas More in Mechelen.

Various functions in the export departments of Solvay and Dupont de Nemours, of which five of the last years as Customs and Export Compliance Leader.

“A Chamber of Commerce is a guide with a varied expertise, for each company and at every stage of the entrepreneurship cycle.”

Lioubove Ankoudinova, Export Formalities Advisor

Master’s degree in Public and International Law from the Université Libre de Bruxelles. Previous experience as a legal consultant covering various areas of law.

“Export formalities may seem complex. My role is to provide clarity, precision, and support so that every company can move forward with confidence.”

Theodora Mbiye Mulomba, Communications Officer

Executive Master in European Public Affairs and Communications, at IHECS Academy in Brussels.

Bachelor in Communication Management, at Erasmushogeschool in Brussels.

“In the Federation, you’ll find the perfect place to explore and support the extensive network of Belgian Chambers of Commerce, both nationally and internationally.”

Lieve Peeters, Belgian Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce abroad (BLCCA) Coordinator

Master’s degree in Business Communication and Sinology from KU Leuven. Diverse experience in companies such as Tessenderlo Chemie and Materialise, as well as serving as General Manager of the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Brussels. Driven by the mission to connect chambers of commerce, businesses, and governments to learn from each other and boost international entrepreneurship.

” Sharing is caring is my motto. By exchanging useful tips & tricks, as well as successes and challenges, we help chambers and businesses gain confidence in a rapidly changing international market. At the Federation, we are committed to working together to make this happen! “

Board of Directors

President

René Branders | President

Vice Presidents

Thierry Geerts | Managing Director Beci Brussels Chamber of Commerce

Johann Leten | Managing Director Voka – KvK Limburg

Sylvie Lericque | Managing Director AKT – CCI Wallonie Picarde

Other committees

* : Member of the Federation Executive Committee

Board members | Belgian Chambers of Commerce and Industry

Bert Mons | Managing Director Voka – KvK West-Vlaanderen

Benoit Moons | Director AKT – CCI Hainaut

Céline Squelart | Director AKT – CCI Brabant wallon

Christophe Hay | Managing Director AKT – CCI Luxembourg belge

Christophe Naa | Managing Director AKT – CCI Liège-Verviers-Namur

Fabien Bruyneel | Director AKT Projects

Francis De Molder | COO Beci Brussels Chamber of Commerce

Geert Moerman | Managing Director Voka – KvK Oost-Vlaanderen

Johann Leten* | Managing Director Voka – KvK Limburg

Kris Claes | Managing Director Voka – KvK Vlaams-Brabant

Luc Luwel* | Managing Director Voka – KvK Antwerpen-Waasland

Nadia Werkers | Director Voka – KvK Antwerpen-Waasland

Patrice Bakeroot | Director Voka Alliance

René Branders* | President

Sylvie Lericque* | Director AKT – CCI Wallonie Picarde

Thierry Geerts* | Managing Director Beci Brussels Chamber of Commerce

Tom Laveren* | Managing Director Voka – KvK Mechelen-Kempen

Volker Klinges* | Director AVED-IHK Ostbelgien

Board members | Belgian-Luxembourg Chambers of Commerce abroad

Ann Bruggeman | General Manager Chile-Belgium-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce

Alexis Hallemans | Former President German-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (debelux)

Ben Greeven | President Belgian Business Chamber in Poland

Bernard Dewit | Chairman Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Chantal Sohier | Board Member Portuguese-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce

Claudine Vandenabeele | General Manager Belgian Chamber of Commerce in South Africa

Hans Broucke | Chairperson Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye

Kim Boone | President Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Ireland

Michel Van Hoonacker | Chairman Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain

Patricia De Backer | Director Chambre de Commerce Franco-Belgo-Luxembourgeoise

Stronger together

Together with our members, we defend the interests of business and promote growth and an environment that encourages free enterprise. In this way we contribute to the prosperity and general well-being of our country.

About the Federation
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