Frank Hermans: "We understand the needs and sensitivities of entrepreneur."

Frank Hermans has been appointed Associate Partner of JBR Belgium. In doing so, he succeeds Rik Van Meirhaeghe as the person responsible for the day-to-day management of JBR's Belgian office. "I feel at home in a compact team with a strong drive. We have the ambition to grow in the coming years."

Strong growth in a short time

In recent years, JBR Belgium has grown into a team with solid positions in sectors such as Energy & Materials Transition, Food & Agri, Digital & Technology and Industrial Markets. "We work sector-wide and know very well where in Belgium the strength of companies lies. From family businesses to family offices and private equity parties - we know the market and understand the needs and sensitivities," said Frank. "Bridging the gap between company, entrepreneur and investor: that's what JBR excels at."

Cross-border cooperation as a strength

An important part of the assignments in Belgium stem from the international networkREACH - Cross-border M&A - in which JBR plays an active role. "About a third of our assignments have a link to REACH, a network of some thirty corporate finance firms worldwide. This international dimension makes us more relevant, especially in cross-border projects. From our Belgian office, we can seamlessly connect to assignments in neighboring countries, but also to files with a broader international scope."

Belgian sensitivities and market knowledge

"Belgium is not the Netherlands - that sounds like an open door, but it is essential to really understand that," Frank explains. "Flanders culturally and business-wise looks more to the Netherlands, Wallonia to France, and Brussels again is a story apart. Transactions tend to be larger in the Netherlands, and companies are more likely to get advice. But the core of M&A work is the same: building trust from knowledge and proximity to the client."
Belgian investors are happy to make the move to the Netherlands. Together with our Dutch colleagues, we are extremely well placed from our Belgian office to guide Belgian entrepreneurs and investors in that step.

Attention to valuation issues

With the arrival of the new Belgian government, the rules of the game regarding share ownership and asset accumulation have also been tightened. The coalition agreement stipulates, among other things, that, for the first time, capital gains on shares will be taxed upon sale - depending on rules such as the term and the interest held in a company.
"To have a benchmark against which any capital gains tax can later be calculated, a 'snapshot' of a company's value will be taken on December 31. This is going to directly impact valuation issues and how business owners look at their business transfer or exit strategy," says Frank. "The second half of 2025 is going to be a busy period for auditors, accountants, notaries and advisors, with perhaps a spike in capital transactions toward year-end. We can make a difference in that - substantively strong, but also mindful of the personal side of entrepreneurship."

Entrepreneurship as a driving force

Like several colleagues within JBR, Frank himself has an entrepreneurial background. "As a result, I know the feeling of a sleepless night as well as the euphoria of an entrepreneur. The excitement of a deal. The vulnerability too - because often a lot depends on it. I think it's important to stay close to the entrepreneur. You don't just guide a transaction, you also guide the people behind the company."

Future and team

"In my current role I balance between business development, executing assignments and managing the team," Frank explains. "We have a well-stocked pipeline and the flexibility to expand. Rik Van Meirhaeghe will stay on board to execute assignments in the Energy & Materials Transition sector. In the short term, we are looking to add one or two colleagues. Our team is eager to learn, ambitious and close-knit - and that gives us a lot of energy."

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