Karel Van Eetvelt leaving Unizo for financial sector federation
The CEO who brought the organisation that represents the self-employed in Flanders from an advice centre to a crucial decision maker is heading to Febelfin
Big shoes to fill
Van Eetvelt (pictured), who has been at the head of Unizo since 2004, is replacing Michel Vermaerke at Febelfin, which represents the interests of the financial sector in policymaking at the national and European level.
In his time at Unizo, Van Eetvelt has become the public face of the organisation, raising its profile in the media and in the public eye. He joined Unizo, made up of small businesses across the region, after a career at the construction industry federation Bouwunie. His predecessor was Kris Peeters, who had then been tapped by incoming Flemish minister-president Yves Leterme to join his regional government.
Unizo is now faced with the task of replacing the media-savvy Van Eetvelt, who in his term has transformed the organisation from a small-business advice bureau to a movement that is consulted on every issue of concern to enterprise in Flanders. Sector federations linked to Unizo, as well as local representations, will be consulted on possible successors.
Johan Bortier, director of Unizo’s research unit, will act as interim CEO. He performed the same function during the period between Peeters and Van Eetvelt in 2004.
Photo courtesy Unizo
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