Our Team

John-Eric Bertrand (º1977, Belgian)

• Co-CEO, co-chair of the executive committee
• Since 2008 at AvH

Education

• Master in Business Engineering (2002), UCLouvain, Belgium
• Master in International Management (2002), CEMS
• MBA (2006), INSEAD

Experience/Career

• John-Eric started his career at Deloitte and subsequently worked at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants.

Other management duties

• Member of the board of directors of DEME Group, Delen Private Bank, Bank Van Breda and Venturi Partners, among others.
• Chairman of the board of directors of Agidens International.
• Member of the board of directors of Finasucre
• Member of the board of directors of Fondation Louvain (UCL) and Voka VZW

ESG-specific qualifications

• John-Eric is a member of the ESG steering committee at AvH, monitoring and advising on the company’s ESG strategic priorities and progress. 

Piet Dejonghe (º1966, Belgian)

• Co-CEO, co-chair of the executive committee
• Since 1995 at AvH

Education

• Master in Law (1989), KU Leuven, Belgium
• Master in Management (1990), KU Leuven, Belgium
• MBA (1993), INSEAD

Experience/Career

• Piet worked as a lawyer for Loeff Claeys Verbeke (now A&O Shearman) and as a consultant at BCG.

Other management duties

• Member of the board of directors of DEME Group, CFE, Delen Private Bank, Bank Van Breda, JM Finn, Nextensa, and V.Group, among others.

ESG-specific qualifications

• Piet is a member of the ESG steering committee at AvH,

Tom Bamelis (º1966, Belgian)

• CFO and member of the executive committee
• Since 1999 at AvH

Education

• Master in Business Engineering (1988), KULeuven, Belgium
• Master in Financial Management (1991), VLEKHO, Belgium

Experience/Career

• Tom joined Touche Ross (now Deloitte) and later Groupe Bruxelles Lambert.

Other management duties

• Member of the board of directors of DEME Group, Delen Private Bank, EMG/Gravity Media, SIPEF, Turbo’s Hoet Group and Van Moer Logistics, among others.

ESG-specific qualifications

• Tom is a member of the ESG steering committee at AvH, monitoring and advising on the company’s ESG strategic priorities and progress.

Axel Baeté joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2025 as a Legal Counsel. Prior to joining AvH, Axel was an attorney at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP in Brussels and New York. His practice focused on mergers and acquisitions, matters of corporate law and formation of private investment funds. He holds a Master of Laws (University of Antwerp, Stellenbosch University), an LL.M. (UC Berkeley) and a Master of Science (Oxford University).

Ivo Berckmoes joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2022 as IT Support. With more than 15 years of experience in IT administration and support, Ivo has worked as, among others, Senior IT Support Engineer at Essentiel Antwerp and IT Operations Engineer at Ogone.

Isabelle Bernaerts joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2018 as a receptionist. Since 2023 she is working as a Personal Assistant for the legal team. She obtained an A2 Secretarial Languages degree. Isabelle previously worked as an administrative assistant for Yellow Pages and Ambius.

Piet Bevernage (º1968, Belgian)

• General Counsel and member of the executive committee
• Since 1995 at AvH

Education

• Master in Law (1991), KU Leuven, Belgium
• LL.M (1992), University of Chicago Law School

Experience/Career

• Piet worked as a lawyer in the Corporate and M&A Department at Loeff Claeys Verbeke (now A&O Shearman).

Other management duties

• Member of the board of directors of Biotalys and Biolectric, among others.

ESG-specific qualifications

• In Piet’s role as secretary of the board of directors and member of the executive committee at AvH, he monitors compliance with the company’s governance principles.
• Piet is also a member of the ESG steering committee at AvH, monitoring and advising on the company’s ESG strategic priorities and progress.

Ann Bex joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2018 as Personal Assistant. She obtained a Bachelor of Translation and a Bachelor of Secretarial Management Languages. Ann previously worked as PA at Besix, Lawfort, PwC, Fieldfisher, Sensient, Curia and AR Metallizing.

Heleen Boonen joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2023 as a Legal Counsel ('bedrijfsjurist'). She holds a law degree (Ghent University – exchange at the University of Auckland) and subsequently obtained an LLM from NYU School of Law. Before joining AvH, she worked as a corporate lawyer in the Global Transactions Department of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, an international law firm in Brussels, and as a Legal Counsel at Droia Ventures, a biotech venture capital fund focused on oncology and genetic diseases. Heleen is a member of the New York Bar.

Bart Bressinck joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2001 as an Accountant. He obtained a bachelor's degree in Accountancy from the Karel de Grote-Hogeschool Antwerpen, a postgraduate degree in Taxation from the Belgian Chamber of Accountancy and a postgraduate degree in Specialisation in Accountancy-Auditor from the Hogeschool Antwerpen. Bart previously worked as an Accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers Accountants.

Gloria Burihabwa joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2024 as a receptionist. She has previous experience as a receptionist at CEPA and later worked as a hostess in the 2 Michelin stars restaurant The Jane Antwerp.

Emmanuel Carlier joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2023 as Investment Manager. He obtained a Master in Commercial Sciences from KU Leuven (2006) and a Master in Financial Management from Vlerick Management School (2007). Emmanuel started his career as an Equity Research analyst at Petercam. He then worked as a Senior Equity Research analyst at ING & Van Lanschot Kempen, where he was also responsible for the Research department and a member of the Securities Management Team.

André-Xavier Cooreman (º1964, Belgian)

• Member of the executive committee
• Since 1997 at AvH

Educatio

• Master in Law (1987), KU Leuven, Belgium
• Postgraduate in International Relations, Johns Hopkins University - SAIS, Italy (1988)
• Postgraduate in Tax Management, ULB, Belgium (1991)

Experience/Career

• André-Xavier worked for the International Development Law Institute (course assistant, Italy), the Shell Group (legal counsel, The Netherlands), Fortis Bank (Corporate & Investment Banking), McKinsey & C° (consultant), and Bank Degroof (public sector manager).

Other management duties

• Member of the board of directors of Agidens International and OMP, among others.

ESG-specific qualifications

• At executive committee level, André-Xavier is responsible for ESG across the AvH Group.
• In addition, he oversees talent management, operational excellence, and innovation, ensuring alignment and interconnection between these priorities.

Hilde Delabie joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 1998 as Group Controller. She studied Economics at the KUL and subsequently took a Postgraduate Course in Business Economics at UCL. Hilde previously worked as an auditor at Deloitte.

Guy della Faille joined Ackermans & van Haaren as Investment director in March 2026. He has relevant experience of more than 10 years in Acquisition & Leveraged Finance as well as Debt Capital Markets from this tenure at BNP Paribas CIB where he was responsible as director for origination, structuring and execution of event-driven transactions for a wide range of markets. Guy is also a non-executive director at Aliaxis. He holds a CEMS master’s in international management from HSG St Gallen and master’s in management sciences from Louvain School of Management, with major in Finance. He also followed the Insead International Directors Programme.

Sophie De Vuyst joined Ackermans & van Haaren in Octobrer f2024 as Investment Associate. She holds a Master degree in Business Engineering (data analytics) from the Ghent University, followed by a Master in International Finance at HEC Paris. Prior to AvH, she was member of the EMEA Energy, Power, Renewables & Mining team at J.P. Morgan Investment Banking (London).

Quentin Dumont de Chassart joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2023 as an Investment associate. He holds a Master of Laws (UC Louvain - 2014), an LL.M. (University of California Berkeley - 2016) and an Advanced Master of Financial Markets (Solvay - 2018). Quentin previously worked as an associate at Nielen Schuman and as an attorney in the Banking & Finance department of Baker McKenzie.

Perpetual Fernandez joined Ackermans & van Haaren as management assistent to the office in Mumbai, India.

Peter Florus joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2019 as a Tax Advisor. He is a lawyer (Law UIA) and studied the SLFBO (Tax) programme at Vlerick. After starting as a tax specialist at Price Waterhouse and The Dow Chemical Company, Peter has also been with DEME Group as Head of Tax for 22 years.

Ann Frans joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2023 as HR Assistant. Ann previously worked for 23 years at Greenyard as HR officer and 4 years as operations manager at Gecon BV.

Sarah Franssens joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 1997. She obtained a degree in Modern Languages at the Karel de Grote Hogeschool Antwerp.

Inna Gehrt joined Ackermans & van Haaren in November 2024 as Investment Director, Head for the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland). Inna holds an MBA from the University of Mannheim. She is a seasoned private equity investor with more than 15 years of experience in the German-speaking midcap market as a managing partner and/or member of investment committees.

Michaëla Goelen joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2011 as receptionist and general secretary. She has since evolved into Office Manager / Prevention Advisor, and since 2023 AvH’s fleet management. Michaëla previously worked as a receptionist at Alcatel and later STMicroelectronics.

Hilde Haems joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2019 as Chief Human Capital Officer. She obtained a Master in Clinical Psychology from Ghent University and an Executive Master in Human Resource Management from Vlerick Business School. Hilde started her career at ING and then worked as HR Director at Allen & Overy, in various roles in USG Group and as CHRO at SDWorx.

Miro Halfon joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2023 as a Personal Assistant. He obtained a Secretarial Language degree. Previously, Miro advised self-employed people on business start-up and social legislation in Belgium.

An Herremans (°1982, Belgian)

• Member of the executive committee
• Since 2014 at AvH

Education

• Master in Commercial Engineering, KU Leuven, Belgium (2005)
• Master in Financial Management, Vlerick Management School, Belgium (2006)

Experience/Career

• An began her career as a consultant at Roland Berger (2006-2011) and subsequently worked as Corporate Business Development Manager and Strategy Office Manager at Barco (2011-2014).

Other management duties

• Member of the board of directors of CFE, Nextensa, OncoDNA and Turbo’s Hoet Group.

Philip Heylen is Chief International Relations & Corporate Affairs Officer at Ackermans & van Haaren since December 2016. He obtained a Master of Laws from the University of Antwerp (1993).

Prior to joining AvH, Philip was Vice Mayor of the city of Antwerp for Culture, Economy, City Maintenance, Property Management and Public Worship.

Thijs Hoste joined Ackermans & van Haaren as an Investment associate in 2020. He holds a Master in Commercial Engineering from the University of Ghent. Thijs previously worked as consultant at EY Transaction Advisory Services, and as equity research analyst at Degroof Petercam and Kempen & Co.

Gilles Huyghebaert joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2017 as Group Controller. He holds a master's degree from Maastricht University and the Vlerick School of Management. Gilles previously worked as a financial consultant at KPMG and then NX Partners.

Koen Janssen (º1970, Belgian)

• Member of the executive committee
• Since 2001 at AvH

Education

• Master in Civil Engineering, electromechanics (1993), KU Leuven, Belgium
• MBA (1994), IEFSI, France

Experience/Career

• Koen Janssen worked at Recticel, ING Investment Banking, and ING Private Equity before joining Ackermans & van Haaren as Investment Manager in 2001.

Other management duties

• Member of the board of directors of DEME Group, Green Offshore, Deep C holding, CFE, BSTOR, and Biolectric, among others.
• Member of the board of directors of NMC International.

ESG-specific qualifications

• Koen has expertise in a.o. offshore energy solutions, marine infrastructure, environmental projects, energy storage facilities, and biogas installations.

Bruno Maes joined Ackermans & van Haaren as Controller in 2023. He holds a Master in Applied Economics: Business Economics from the University of Antwerp. Bruno previously worked in the audit practice of KPMG, and subsequently as financial controller at Fiberklaar.

Lydie Makiadi joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2000 and was in charge of the general secretariat. She has since evolved into Management Assistant. Lydie previously worked at the secretariat of Radio2 Antwerp.

Anne Mampaey joined Ackermans & van Haaren as Accountant in 2023. Previously she worked as Accountant in real estate development at Brody.

Christophe Maters joined Ackermans & van Haaren as an investment director in May 2023. He obtained a Master in Commercial Engineering from Solvay Business School (ULB, 2007) and an MBA from The Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern University, 2011). Christophe previously worked at Bain & Company, Qatar National Bank and Quintet Private Bank before joining Ackermans & van Haaren.

Iris Meirlaen joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2022. She obtained a professional Bachelor's degree in Business Management / Legal Practice. Iris previously worked as a Paralegal at Agfa-Gevaert, Clifford Chance and Linklaters.

Robin Muller joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2014 as a receptionist and made the step up to Personal Assistant in 2022. Robin holds a professional Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management from Plantijnhogeschool Antwerp and previously worked in several hotel functions.

Nihir Nemani joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2024 as Investment Manager, based in our Mumbai office. He holds an MBA from S.P.Jain Institute (Mumbai) and Cornell University (USA), alongside a degree in Engineering from the Mumbai University. Nihir is an investment professional with experience across industries including consumer, media, technology, business services, financial services and healthcare. Prior to AvH, he was with Emeral, the Asia fund of KKR.

Bénedith Oben joined Ackermans & van Haaren in September 2024 as Investment Associate for our Life Siences participations. She studied biomedical science at the Hasselt University, after which she obtained a PhD. Prior to AvH, Bénedith was member of the business development team of Hyloris, a Belgium-based listed pharmaceutical company that focusses on reinventing/reformulating existing medications.

Inge Pirlet joined Ackermans & van Haaren in March 2026. 

She studied languages and administration at SIVEHO in Antwerp (Stedelijk Instituut voor Economisch Hoger Onderwijs) and held several positions in administration in various companies - mainly in the construction industry - prior to joining AvH. 

Filip Portael joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2009 as IT Consultant and strategic IT partner. He obtained a bachelor's degree in Computer Science in 1994. Filip previously worked as an Analyst-Programmer and network administrator at Bank Delen.

Vishal Prasad is an Investment associate at Ackermans & van Haaren, having joined the firm in October 2025. He is based in the Mumbai office.
He holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management and is a Chartered accountant (the Indian equivalent of a CPA). He has also completed Level III of the CFA Programme (US). Vishal brings experience across consulting, investment banking, and entrepreneurship.
He began his career at EY India, before moving into investment banking with the private equity team at Spark Capital Advisors. Following his tenure at Spark Capital, Vishal co-founded a fintech venture focused on India, which was subsequently acquired.

Hari Rajmohan joined Ackermans & van Haaren in September 2021 as Investment Manager and Head of the Singapore office. Previously, Hari worked with Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore and Dubai. He is a seasoned private equity investor with 13 years’ experience across mid-market family companies and VC-backed growth start-ups. Hari has invested in and served on the boards of public/private companies and investment funds in Asia and the USA. Hari is a graduate in Computer Engineering from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Melissa Slabbaert is a bioengineer with a Master’s degree in Environmental Technology (Ghent University – 2013). She previously worked as a soil specialist at Sertius Environmental & Safety services and as Head of sustainability at Deep C Industrial Zones.

Giacomo Stefani joined Ackermans & van Haaren in January 2025 as Investment Manager. He began his career in 2014 at our portfolio company DEME, where he held various leadership roles in different divisions - including Dredging & Infra, Offshore Energy and Concessions. By 2023, he was appointed General Manager of the Italian subsidiary of DEME. Giacomo Stefani holds a Master's in Mechanical Engineering from UCLouvain (2013) and an MBA from Harvard Business School (2021).

Brigitte Stockman joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 1990 as personal assistant.

Thomas Ternest joined Ackermans & van Haaren as an investment manager November 2018.

He obtained a Master in Commercial Engineering (KU Leuven, 2003) and an MBA from Vlerick (2015). Thomas previously worked at BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity as Investment Director.

Petra Van de Velde joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2001 as Personal Assistant. She obtained a Medical Secretarial Degree from the Higher National Institute for Paramedical Professions in Ghent. Petra previously worked as an assistant at the Nationale Investeringsmaatschappij.

Jeroen Vangindertael joined Ackermans & van Haaren as an Investment Associate in 2020. He holds both a Master and PhD in Biochemistry & Biotechnology (KU Leuven – 2016). Previously he worked at the Private Equity and Sustainable Business departments of BNP Paribas Fortis.

Jens Van Nieuwenborgh is Investment Director at Ackermans & van Haaren (since September 2014), where he obtained extensive experience as board member at both private and listed companies across Europe, the UK and India.

He obtained a Master in Civil Engineering from the University of Ghent (2005) and an MBA from Harvard Business School (2009). Prior to AvH, Jens worked at McKinsey & Company as an associate partner.

Chris Van Raemdonck joined Ackermans & van Haaren in May 2024 as Communication and Investor Relations manager. Chris holds a dregree in Communicaitons. Prior to AvH he fulfilled similar functions at Omega Pharma, Movetis and Smartphoto.

Lenny Van Steenhuyse joined Ackermans & van Haaren in January 2025 as an Investment Manager for our Life Sciences participations. He studied Biochemistry and Biotechnology at Ghent University, where he obtained a master's degree, which he later supplemented with a postgraduate degree in Corporate Finance from KU Leuven. He started his career as a consultant at a science communication agency before moving to KBC Securities, where he initially worked as a financial analyst for biotech/healthcare and then served as Associate Director Corporate Finance for Life Sciences. After that, he became Principal at Droia Ventures, a Belgian biotech investor.

Yasmine Vega Corrales joined Ackermans & van Haaren in March 2025 as Investment Associate. She studied at the Ghent University, where she obtained a Master's degree in Business Econmics, which she complemented later with a Master's degree in Financial Management from Vlerick Business School. Prior to Ackermans & van Haaren, Yasmine worked at Morgan Stanley in London, where she held the roles of analyst and associate in Morgan Stanley's investment banking division.

Bart Vercauteren joined Ackermans & van Haaren in 2021 as Sustainability manager. He obtained a Master in Commercial Engineering from the University of Antwerp and is currently following a European Executive MBA programme with a focus on Sustainable Business. Bart previously worked as Director at Deloitte Sustainability team for 17 years.