The new CEO of Belgapom, association for the Belgian potato trade and processing industry

The Board of Directors of Belgapom, association for the Belgian potato trade and processing industry, has unanimously chosen to collaborate with Christophe Vermeulen as the CEO of the association, and will also act as director of FVPhouse, the umbrella organization of the federations of the Belgian wholesale trade in potatoes, fruits and vegetables, as well as the processing industry.

Mark Van Herreweghe, President of Belgapom, shared that they are happy with their choice. Christophe Vermeulen's education and experience at national and international levels provide a solid foundation for assisting and representing companies in the sector. Romain Сools, current CEO of the association, will remain active an advisor for benefit of his successor until mid-2021.

"I am particularly happy that our board has appointed Christophe Vermeulen. I know him through his activities in the European Parliament and, like my colleagues, I am impressed by his knowledge of the issues and above all his enormous enthusiasm, said Mr. Сools.

Christophe Vermeulen is a lawyer that specializing in European Law. He has worked as a parliamentary assistant at the Flemish and Federal parliaments, as a bilateral attaché at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and as an advisor at the office for Public Enterprises. His last few years have focused on Europe, where as team leader, communications officer on trade and foreign policy adviser at the European Parliament, he has been able to focus in depth on European policy that is so important to the sector. Even then, he had experience of cooperation with the potato sector on trade conflicts related the export of Belgian frozen potatoes. He also actively followed up the Brexit dossier, the new CAP, the Green Deal contours and free trade agreements with among others Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Mr. Vermeulen can start on 1 January. He commented that he is very proud to be able to represent the interests of the potato sector. “I’m pleased that Romain has offered to closely accompany the transition and I’m really looking forward to jumping in with the entire team,” he said.

Belgapom is an association for the potato trade and processing industry in Belgium. Its mission is to defend the interests of the Belgian potato traders, exporters, prepackers, potato peeling and processing industry, as well as seed potato producers and traders.

More about the association on its website.