During the past 30 years since I came into the investment industry, I have developed a craft which I now exercise as business development and investment strategist. 

My capabilities can be summarised as follows:

• More than 30 years of experience in the capital markets, both from the perspectives of an investor and a business developer.

• I have practical experience in the full range of financial instruments, ranging from trading, investment management, credit, equity, structured finance, and fintech innovations.

• As a result of my investment experience, I have developed an intuitive understanding of business models from a financial, innovation, and marketing perspective.

• I have always been attracted to less known, exotic and upcoming markets. This is why I am experienced in working with emerging markets related opportunities across a variety of regions and cultures.

• For more than 15 years I have worked in development finance and impact investing, more specifically in roles of abridging private investment capital with public development initiatives. 

• Having worked in a variety of projects with a wide array of stakeholders and collaborators, I have been able to develop strong teamwork and project management capabilities.

• As a result of having worked around the world, I cultivate an inclusive worldview and fluently speak six languages.

With my expertise, my main motivation is to contribute to:

• Turning audacious, innovative solutions and ideas into more intuitive messages, stories, and investment opportunities. 

• Create innovative strategies, products and approaches to facilitate access to finance for businesses and organizations that are making a positive impact on our society and our environment.

• Making finance work for a more balanced and prosperous global society. 

Furthermore, I am a Belgian national and a proud European Citizen. 

Current assignments

Expert Advisor in Private and Innovative Financing

Business Solutions (B&S) Europe Brussels - 2019 to the present

Innovative financing solutions strategist for development programs and projects financed by international or bilateral bodies. A specialist focus on designing strategies and products to get more investment capital from the private sector involved in development finance programs.

Expert Advisor in Private and Innovative Financing

Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) - 2018 to the present

In association with the GOPA and B&S groups, I am part of a task force to develop a strategy for involving the private sector in the IsDB's development finance interventions. Completed projects: Gabon, Republic of Maldives.

Strategic Advisor

Asteria, Brussels - 2018 - the present

As a strategic business development & investment strategist, I assist Asteria-Infra to position itself as a rising independent wireless infrastructure operator with a specific mission to make a positive impact by connecting rural and remote communities to possibilities of 5G connectivity.

Strategic Advisor

PROSS - Dubai 2018 - the present

I assist PROSS in positioning its innovative tracking and monitoring solutions for the global logistics and transport value chain across the globe.

Business Development & Investment Strategist 

Brussels - 2013 to the present

As an independent expert advisor, my speciality is to turn complex value propositions into messages that your clients, colleagues, investors, and stakeholders will listen to. 

I predominantly apply my craft within the investment and development sector. I also work with the scientific and technology sector. 

Expert Advisor to the European Commission

Brussels - 2016 to the present

Independent innovation and business development expert for the European Commission's Horizon 2020 funding program.  

Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation program ever with nearly €80 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020) – in addition to the private investment that this initiative will attract. 

It promises more breakthroughs, discoveries, and world-firsts by taking great ideas from the lab to the market.  My role is to act as an expert advisor on innovation, business development and go-to-market strategy for the various initiatives that result from the EU's Horizon 2020 program.

Past assignments

Head of Global Business Development, Marketing, and Communications

Silk Invest, London - 2008 to 2019

As a founding partner, I helped grow Silk Invest into one of the leading frontier market investment boutiques in the frontier markets investment space by developing and executing a global business development strategy and the creation and implementation of Silk Invest's corporate identity.

Head of Global Business Development and Marketing

Standard Bank Asset Management, London - 2005 to 2008

Development and implementation of a global business development strategy for Standard Bank's Asset Management division. 

I established a network of strategic investors partnerships with leading local financial institutions across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. 

Institutional Business Development 

Invesco, Madrid/Brussels/Amsterdam - 2000 to 2005

Institutional business development executive for the Nordic region. Development of INVESCO’s institutional business activities, covering a diversified range of asset classes and investor solutions.

Development of INVESCO’s institutional business activities in Spain and Portugal, covering a diversified range of asset classes and investor solutions.

International Business Development, Brokerage

Grupo Ahorro Corporación,  Madrid - 1998 to 2000

International business development for fixed income. Set up and expanded Ahorro Corporación´s brokerage service of international government bonds for its domestic client base. Sought and established strategic institutional alliances to allow the coverage of a wide range of financial products and markets.

Fixed Income Sales and Trading

Cantor Fitzgerald, London - 1997 to 1998

Developed and managed a client base of Iberian institutional investors for Cantor Fitzgerald’s brokerage services of fixed income derivatives product.

Credit Agricole Indosuez, Madrid - 1995 to 1997

Sales & Trading of European fixed income markets. Developed both a domestic and international institutional investors’ client base, mainly consisting of asset managers, insurance companies and banks.

CIMD, Madrid - 1993 to 1995

Brokerage of Spanish and Portuguese Government Bonds. Established and managed an international client base of institutional investors for the Spanish and Portuguese fixed income markets.

Assistant Dean

European University, Madrid - 1991 to 1992

I oversaw the day to day operations of the European University Madrid campus.

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration, European University Madrid 1987-1991

Language skills:

• Dutch (Native)

• English (Native)

• Spanish (Native)

• French (Fluent)

• Portuguese (Fluent)

• German (Conversational)

• Italian (Conversational)