Vlerick Business School is the oldest business and management school in Europe. Founded in 1953 by the renowned academic, entrepreneur and politician, Professor André Vlerick. Vlerick Business School has been leading innovation in business for well over half a century. As the management school of Belgium’s two largest universities – Ghent University and KU Leuven – the School has built a solid, worldwide reputation as a leading, independent institution with a strong international focus and close ties to both the academic and corporate worlds.
Perrett Laver are delighted to be working with Vlerick Business School to appoint their new Dean. The role will provide leadership and support for the school’s teaching and research activities and will be responsible for its general management, including its staff, finances and physical resources. The Dean is also responsible for bridging bridges between academia and business with the ability to transform knowledge into action and action into knowledge; and between academia and the outside world, advancing Vlerick’s international profile.
The Board of Directors of Vlerick Business School decided to nominate Roch Doliveux and Frank Donck as the new chairman and new vice chairman of Vlerick Business School, respectively. They will replace Louis Verbeke, who is retiring after having been chairman of Vlerick Business School since 1997. The Board wants to thank Louis Verbeke for his longstanding commitment and unique positive impact on the development of the School and unanimously appointed him to Honorary Chairman.
Chairman Louis Verbeke explains the corporate governance procedure: “On 27 August, the nomination committee – which I chaired – unanimously decided to nominate Roch Doliveux as chairman and Frank Donck as vice chairman. The proposal has the full support of the academic partners of the school. After the positive recommendation by the Board, their candidacy still requires final approval by the General Council of Vlerick Business School which will convene on 15 October. Subject to the General Council approving the candidacies, this decision will enter into force on 16 October. It goes without saying that both these candidacies have my full support.”
As a separate matter, the Board of Directors took note of Philippe Haspeslagh's decision not to extend his mandate as dean of Vlerick Business School beyond reaching the age of 65 next year. The Board will search for a new dean in close consultation with the academic partners and professors of Vlerick Business School.
Philippe Haspeslagh will remain Dean until the new Dean has been appointed. After that he will continue as professor and partner of Vlerick Business School.
Philippe Haspeslagh: “Together with the management team I look forward to working with Roch and Frank over the coming period on the further internationalisation and development of the school, and to support the new Dean – once appointed – in the transition process”.