2023-09-06 17:39:00
It is, at first glance, a great size that the board of directors of bpost has found for the position of new CEO of the public company. This is Chris Peeters, the current boss of Elia, the manager of the high voltage network in Belgium. He will have the difficult task of restoring serenity and bringing perspectives to this society shaken for months by investigations into probable agreements with Flemish publishers (DPG Média and Mediahuis) in the context of newspaper distribution.
”I am convinced that we found the right person, in the right place and at the right time. He is a person capable of handling a difficult situation. He’s the ideal person”, underlined the chairman of the board of directors Audrey Hanard, during a press briefing organized following the closing of the Stock Exchange. She also praised the “visionary spirit” shown by Chris Peeters in meeting the challenge of energy transition.
Chris Peeters (56) told him to embark on this job “with enthusiasm” while keeping Elia “in his heart”. This native of Limburg, holder of a master’s degree in civil engineering, will only arrive at bpost following a transition period. He is expected to leave Elia on October 30 and then take some time off. He said “he will have to take more time to get to know the company better” which he defined as “iconic”, also insisting on “the great values it plays for society”.
”Very rigorous recruitment”
He did not answer the question of whether he had applied himself, returning the ball to Audrey Hanard. “We decided to put in place a very rigorous recruitment process. He had aptitude tests with members of the board of directors. We had regarding twenty candidates, in Belgium and beyond. The whole future is to be built”, explained the president of the CA. Because of his functions at Elia, which notably has the Belgian municipalities as shareholders, he is in any case used to having a dialogue with the public authorities.
The subject of the remuneration of the new CEO was not mentioned at the press conference. The salary of his predecessor, Dirk Tirez, dismissed at the end of 2022, was around 500,000 euros. While waiting for the arrival of Chris Peeters, Philippe Dantienne, who was the CFO, will continue to ensure the interim.
Note that Audrey Hanard clarified that the investigation, which has been going on for months, has “entered its final phase”. Without wanting to say more, she added that she “hopes” for a conclusion before the end of the year. “We want to do things thoroughly”.
.
1694038580
#Chris #Peeters #boss #Bpost #ideal #person