Bart De Smet named new chairman of the Management Association

With effect from 5 February 2014 Bart De Smet, CEO of Ageas, will be the new chairman of the vMA, the Management Association. In accepting the chairmanship, this top manager, who was recently nominated Manager of the Year 2013, enthusiastically places his profound professional knowledge at the disposal of the vMA. The vMA, which celebrates its thirtieth anniversary in 2014, also sees in this appointment a unique opportunity of reaching out even more strongly and professionally, both to all its members and to the management population as a whole, from the basis established over the past few years around management and leadership.

Bart De Smet started his career with Argenta and gained further experience in the world of insurance with Nationale Suisse, ING Insurance Belgium and AG Insurance. Just like the shoemaker who sticks to his last, he opts resolutely for the insurance sector. In 2009 he was named CEO of Ageas. From his position at the top of an international group he intends to help the vMA to develop further and expand. His experience in management and leadership will provide substantial added value in the context of the chairmanship of the most important management association in Flanders and in Brussels.

Bart De Smet takes over the chairmanship from Karel Vinck, consultant with the European Commission and Honorary Chairman of Umicore, who has led the Management Association enthusiastically and inspiringly over the past five years.