New CEO for Port of Zeebrugge is Tom Hautekiet
The Board of Directors has appointed Tom Hautekiet as the new CEO of the Port of Zeebrugge, effective immediately. Hautekiet was born and raised in West-Flanders. He is an industrial construction engineer, and has attended several management courses, including at INSEAD and CEDEP.
The Board said: “Tom is a driven general director. He gained international experience at the West-Flemish multinational Bekaert, where he became Senior Vice President within the division ‘Building Products’. This division counts 700 employees spread all over the world. Within his function, Tom negotiated multiple partnerships between different countries and continents, amongst some with China. Tom is a strong, down to earth team leader that works with passion and enthusiasm.”
It added: “We are proud and grateful to present to you a top candidate. Tom is thoroughly motivated, has the right profile and the right skills for this job. We are convinced that the Port of Zeebrugge is heading to a great future with Tom as our new CEO.”
Chairman Dirk De Fauw said: “We had planned to appoint a new CEO before the beginning of summer. Not only did we succeed, but we have found a top candidate that will give the Port of Zeebrugge a bright future.”
Vice-President Rik Goetinck: “With a real team player like Tom joining our team, who is a born leader, I am sure that we have made the perfect decision. Therefore, I can transfer my tasks to him without any concerns.”
Tom Hautekiet said of the news: “It is a great honour for me to take up this task, which includes a great societal responsibility. Together with the Board of Directors, the staff and the port community, I will make sure that the Port of Zeebrugge will get the future that she deserves.”
On 6 December, former CEO Joachim Coens was elected National President of the Flemish political party CD&V in order to lead the party for the next three years. The responsibilities that come with this challenging political function were not reconcilable with his position as CEO at the port authority of Zeebrugge. For this reason he concluded his activities at the port.
For more information visit portofzeebrugge.be
16th July 2020
