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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

René Branders, President
Wouter Van Gulck, General Manager
Christophe Coulie, Legal Affairs Manager
Lidia Pardo Arias, Export Formalities Advisor
Veerle Geeraerts, Project and International Affairs Manager
Cindy Peeters, Export Formalities Advisor
Theodora Mbiye Mulomba, Communications Officer
Brigitte Verkinderen, BLCCA Coordinator

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 Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie du Brabant wallon, 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.”

Lidia Pardo Arias, Export Formalities Advisor

Bachelor in Tourism and Leisure Management at ISALT, in Brussels. Followed by an academic year in London to study English and take business courses.

Career began in 2001 in the banking world as a customer relations officer for expatriates, and continued with specialization in international payments for institutional clients. Another stage opened up as a Credit Risk Officer and finally as a Project Manager for the digitalization of international payments.

“Passionate about the international world and the world of finance, supporting Belgian companies in exporting is a way of opening up to the world.”

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.”

Brigitte Verkinderen, BLCCA Coordinator

Master in Law University Ghent, Lawyer at the Ghent Bar (1985-’96).

Manager Artistic Management Guarneri bvba (1996-2008), Director Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona since 2008.

“The Chambers have an exceptional force from which I draw much inspiration myself. It is with gratitude that I contribute to placing them on a deserved podium with proper lighting and perfect acoustics.”

Board of Directors

President

René Branders | President

Vice-Presidents

Philippe Barras | President CCI Wallonia

Bernard Dewit | Board Member Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Johann Leten | Managing Director CCI Limburg

Olivier Willocx | Managing Director CCI Brussels

Other committees

* : Member of the Federation Executive Committee

** : Member of the BLCCA Steering Committee

Board members | Belgian Chambers of Commerce and Industry

René Branders* | President

Patrice Bakeroot | Director Voka Alliance

Philippe Barras* | Director CCI Wallonie

Kris Claes | Managing Director CCI Vlaams-Brabant

Bernard Cornelus | Director CCI Wallonie Picarde

Joëlle Evenepoel | Secretary General CCI Brussels

Christophe Hay | Managing Director CCI Luxembourg belge

Volker Klinges | Director CCI Eupen-Malmedy-St. Vith

Céline Kuetgens | Director CCI Liège-Verviers-Namur

Tom Laveren* | Managing Director CCI Mechelen-Kempen

Johann Leten* | Managing Director CCI Limburg

Luc Luwel* | Managing Director CCI Antwerpen-Waasland

Marie Martens | Board Member CCI Brussels

Geert Moerman | Managing Director CCI Oost-Vlaanderen

Bert Mons | Managing Director CCI West-Vlaanderen

Benoit Moons | Director CCI Hainaut

Céline Squelart* | Director CCI Brabant wallon

Nadia Werkers | Director CCI Antwerpen-Waasland

Olivier Willocx* | Managing Director CCI Brussels

Board members | Belgian-Luxembourg Chambers of Commerce abroad

Frédéric Agneessens* | Chairman Chamber of Commerce Canada-Belgium-Luxembourg

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

Pierre Declerck | Board Member Chambre de Commerce belge et luxembourgeoise en Côte d’Ivoire

Sonia Devergnies** | Project Manager & Head of Communication Arab-Belgium-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce

Bernard Dewit** | President Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Salma Racchi* | Director Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Marrocco

Alain Schodts | Director Belgian Luxembourg Romanian Moldovan Chamber of Commerce

Tuğrul Şeremet | President Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Turkey

Chantal Sohier* | President Portuguese-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce

Marc Van Audekerke** | Director German-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (Cologne office)

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