Philippe Verdonck, who already worked for several airlines (Jet Airways, Korean Air, Nippon Express), will succeed Jean-Jacques Cloquet at the helm of Brussels South Charleroi Airport. Today (28 February), the unanimous decision was made during a Board of Directors meeting. Two weeks ago, the Board of Directors considered three candidates to replace Jean-Jacques Cloquet, who left for a new career at Pairi Daiza, a Belgian zoo.
“It’s someone who knows where he wants to go but who keeps a very accessible and human dimension in his managerial role, furthermore he has already shown interest in the trade unions and is very attentive to the social climate,” Laurent Levêque, Chairman of the Board of Directors said.
Three names had been retained by a headhunter among 40 candidates: in addition to Philippe Verdonck, were also selected a French lady of 51, Françoise Barrard, an aeronautical engineer working currently for Air France, and Denis Knoops, a commercial engineer who worked for supermarket chain Delhaize where he became CEO.
Mastering both Dutch and French, citizen of Overijse near Brussels, Philippe Verdonck, 53, already has a rich career in aviation that has seen him go through Jet Airways (cargo division), Korean Air (passengers), Nippon Express (freight) and Worldwide Flight Services (handling), where he is currently at work.
In one month or two, the new CEO will head to his new office.
