Jacques Vandermeiren (52) has been appointed CEO of Antwerp Port Authority as of 1 January 2017. He succeeds Eddy Bruyninckx who after 25 years at the head of the Port Authority is retiring on 31 December 2016. Until January 2015 Vandermeiren held the position of Chief Executive Officer of Elia, the listed company that operates the national electricity grid in Belgium. He can draw on extensive experience in the energy sector, which will stand him in good stead with the industrial operators in the port. He also has the necessary experience with complex stakeholder management and in dealing with a publicly-owned shareholder.
“These two aspects, combined with the necessary international experience, strong communication skills and inspiring people management, convinced the board to appoint Vandermeiren as the new CEO,” declared Port Authority chairman Marc Van Peel.
Vandermeiren is now beginning his “working in” period which he is approaching in full confidence. “It is certainly an honour for me to face the important local and international challenges for the Port Authority, in collaboration with the board of directors, the management committee, the personnel and the many stakeholders. Assuring the rich history of the port of Antwerp in a sustainable way in future is a task which I shall assume with pride and determination,” Vandermeiren confirmed.
Vandermeiren starts on 1 November 2016 as CEO designate, which means that he will shadow Eddy Bruyninckx who retains full authority as CEO, chairman of the management committee and managing director until 31 December 2016. Then on 1 January 2017 Eddy Bruyninckx will formally hand over to Jacques Vandermeiren.