Christophe Vermeulen new CEO of Belgapom

Belgapom has found a new successor for Romain Cools. Christophe Vermeulen will take his place as CEO next year. In recent years, the lawyer has already worked from the European Parliament with the potato sector on trade conflicts.

The search for a new CEO for the Belgian potato organization Belgapom was not without fits and starts. The intended candidate Tom Vandenkdelaere decided to take up his seat in the European Parliament again this autumn. This meant that the trade association for the potato trade and processing industry looking again had to find a successor to Cools, the current acting CEO.

With Christophe Vermeulen, that mission has been accomplished, according to Belgapom chairman Marc Van Herreweghe. "Both his education and his experience at national and international level form a strong foundation to assist and represent his companies in the sector." Vermeulen has a legal background and is specialized in European Law.

Many challenges for sector
The new CEO of Belgapom will start on January 1, 2021. Romain Cools will remain involved as an advisor until the middle of the year. Thereafter, where necessary, he will advise and assist his successor until the end of 2021. This applies not only to Belgapom, but also to the umbrella organization FVPhouse, of which Vermeulen will also become director.

Vermeulen was recently team leader, communication manager and trade and foreign policy advisor in the European Parliament. There he was able to delve into European politics that is important for the potato sector. "I am extremely proud to be able to defend the interests of our potato sector, the crown jewel of our agri-food industry. And there is work to be done: the corona crisis, Brexit, anti-dumping, Green Deal, sustainability and health challenges... the list is quite impressive."

Cools not out of the picture yet
Romain Cools is also satisfied with his successor. "I got to know him through his activities within the European Parliament. I was impressed by his knowledge of the files and his great enthusiasm. In addition, Vandendelaere has a strong point of contact in Europe." Cools was secretary of Belgapom for 30 years and will retire next year. Then he is not completely out of the picture for the sector. "Until after the World Potato Congress in Dublin in June 2022, I will remain chairman/CEO of the Canadian NGO World Potato Congress, a network platform for the global potato supply chain."

Jeanette Pennings

Jeannet has her roots in the flower bulb sector and she grew up on an agricultural company in the northern part of North Holland. As a generalist she reports for Boerenbusiness across all sectors. She is also exploring the possibilities of sponsored advertising.

j.pennings@boerenbusiness. Nl

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