How to prepare yourself as the next generation
Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders Today
In today's fast-changing world, your preparation as future leaders and investors is crucial. You face unique opportunities and challenges at the forefront of change. By learning about financial markets and strategic investments, you build a resilient future. Your education ensures you're ready to make informed decisions and drive economic progress.
At ABN AMRO MeesPierson Belgium, we're committed to supporting your ambitions through our Next Gen Academy, empowering you to manage your (future) wealth with confidence and integrity.
Introducing you our Next Gen Academy
The Next Gen Academy is your gateway to becoming a future leader in finance and entrepreneurship. It offers you a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate the complexities of today's world. As a participant, you'll gain insights into financial markets, strategic investments, and entrepreneurial practices, setting the stage for a resilient and prosperous future.
ABN AMRO MeesPierson found in Solvay Business School the perfect partner for this initiative. Solvay’s longstanding track record in high-quality education and specialized programs ensures the highest standard of learning. Together, we are committed to empowering you to thrive and shape the future with confidence.
Discover the 2025 Program
1. Introduction to Financial Markets + Launch of the Investment Simulation
- The ins & outs of financial markets by Erik Joly, Chief Economist ABN AMRO MeesPierson & Vincent Van Dessel
- Introduction to the Investment Simulation tool & your ABN AMRO Investment Advisor
About Erik Joly
Next to his Master in Science, Erik Joly holds a Master's degree in Commercial and Financial Sciences and a European Diploma in Financial Analysis. He also holds an MBA. Erik has nearly 35 years of experience in the private banking sector in both Belgium and Luxembourg. Before joining ABN AMRO MeesPierson10 years ago, he held management positions at Van Lanschot Bankers and Bank Degroof, among others. As the Head of the Investment Office, he is currently responsible for investment advice within ABN AMRO Belgium and is a member of the Strategic Management Team. In that role, he is a welcome guest in various radio and TV studios. For example, he is one of the regular in-house analysts at business channels Kanaal Z, Canal Z, and LN24. His comments and insights are frequently sought by VRT radio and TV, and you can also find him regularly in both the Dutch and French written press.
About Vincent Van Dessel
Vincent Van Dessel is a Belgian financial expert. He holds a degree in applied economics from KU Leuven. He started his career in 1984 as a stockbroker and later founded Van Dessel & Co in 1989. In 1992, he joined the Brussels Stock Exchange as Director of Markets and Admissions, becoming a board member in 1998. Following the 2000 merger of the Amsterdam, Paris, and Brussels exchanges into Euronext, he became part of its executive committee. He served as CEO of Euronext Brussels from 2009 until his retirement in July 2023. Beyond Euronext, he was a member of Belgium’s Corporate Governance Committee (2009–2023) and served on various financial boards. He has also been a guest lecturer at multiple universities, including KU Leuven, UCL, Sorbonne, and HEC Liège.
2. Entrepreneurship
- Key skills and knowledge for aspiring entrepreneurs.
By Benjamin Beeckmans
About Benjamin Beeckmans
Benjamin Beeckmans is a serial entrepreneur, specializing in Design Thinking and starting business projects. He graduated from Solvay Business School in 1997. He began his career at Procter & Gamble and Coca-Cola, gaining experience in finance and marketing. He then ventured into entrepreneurship, importing surgical masks from China, and later became a diamond trader, working in Botswana, Israel, and the USA. Subsequently, he established a software programming bureau in Sri Lanka, growing it to several hundred employees. Returning to academia, he started teaching entrepreneurship at Solvay Business School. In 2022, he joined Paynovate as Chief Commercial Officer and was appointed CEO in 2024.
3. Asset Allocation, Portfolio Management, Risk & Return
- Understanding asset allocation and managing investment risks.
By Rudy Vermeersch – Head of Portfolio Management ABN AMRO MeesPierson & Mathias Schmit
About Rudy Vermeersch
Rudy Vermeersch currently serves as the head of the Investment Centre at ABN AMRO MeesPierson Belgium. He has over thirty years of experience in financial instruments, asset allocation, and fund and mandate management. Rudy is a graduate of KU Leuven, where he completed his master's degree (MSc) in Applied Economic Sciences in 1989. He also obtained a postgraduate degree in Accountancy from VLEKHO Business School in 1993 and an executive master's in "Risk and Investment Management" from EDHEC Business School in 2012. He began his career as a junior trader in 1991 and subsequently held various leadership positions at Cordius Asset Management, Dexia Asset Management, and Candriam Investors Group. In 2015, he was appointed Head of Wealth Management within the Belgian division of the French bank Société Générale. Since 2019, Rudy has been in charge of discretionary wealth management as the head of the Investment Centre at ABN AMRO MeesPierson Belgium. Additionally, he has been a guest lecturer at the EHSAL Management School in Brussels for several years.
About Mathias Schmit
Mathias Schmit is an academic and professional in the field of finance. He serves as a Professor of Finance and Corporate Finance at the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, where he also acts as the Academic Director for the "Finance for Non-Financials" programme. This role involves guiding professionals in understanding financial decision-making and risk management through interactive and practical learning approaches. He is also the Managing Director of SAGORA, a firm specializing in financial consulting. His academic background includes expertise in financial analysis, project valuation, and corporate finance, with a focus on equipping leaders with tools to enhance organizational financial health. He frequently collaborates on executive education programmes, blending theoretical insights with real world applications.
4. Wealth & Inheritance Planning
- Strategies for effective wealth management and planning.
By Lara Hadjistratis, Head of Wealth Solutions & Stefanie Van Waes, Senior Wealth Planner ABN AMRO MeesPierson.
About Lara Hadjistratis
Lara Hadjistratis is a law graduate of the ULB and holder of an Executive Master in Tax Management of Solvay Business School.
She was a lawyer at the Brussels Bar for 6 years in a firm specialized in tax law and corporate law. Her practice focuses on tax advice for individuals and companies as well as tax litigation.
She joined Société Générale Private Banking in 2008 (later acquired by ABN AMRO MeesPierson) as a Wealth Planner and specializes in asset structuring, transmission issues and income tax, particularly for international clients. Lara was appointed as the head of the Wealth Planning team in 2018 – a positioned she maintained upon acquisition of Société Générale Private Banking by ABN AMRO MeesPierson in 2019 – and continues to share her expertise through regular appearances as an author in specialized tax journals.
About Stefanie Van Waes
Stefanie Van Waes possesses a Master's degree in Law from Ghent University (UGent), complemented by a Master's in Tax Law from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). Her career commenced as a legal counsel in the credit department of a prominent Belgian international bank, with a noteworthy assignment at their Paris branch.
For the past 15 years, she has honed her expertise as a wealth planner in various private banking institutions. In 2015, Stefanie joined Société Générale Private Banking (later acquired by ABN AMRO). Her specialization lies in civil law planning and philanthropic strategies, particularly through charitable giving.
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