ESG Committee

During its December meeting in 2022, the BVA board decided to create an ESG Committee, which will act as a platform to organise and encourage the sharing of knowledge and experience on ESG topics. The ESG Committee can, inter alia, play a role at the following levels:

  • At (pre-)investment stage: ESG due diligence, exclusion policies, etc..
  • At the level of portfolio companies: ESG data collection, data interpretation, KPI setting, data reporting, ESG audits, engagement with management, etc..
  • At the level of the investment firm: ESG policy, internal organisation and training, LP reporting.

As stated in its mission, the BVA ESG Committee sets out to act as a platform to organise and encourage the sharing of knowledge and experience on ESG topics.

In this respect, the Committee did a mapping exercise of the various ESG (software) tools and consultants in the market, each with their own expertise and focus.

We reached out to approximately 65 parties and gathered their feedback, which resulted in this overview, a concrete tool for our members to find the perfect ESG partner for their own company and broader ecosystem.

This list is non-exhaustive and will grow over time. If you think of parties that should be added to this list, feel free to reach out to phaedra.beyers@strada-partners.com.

The following people have a seat in the ESG Committee:

  • Michiel Deturck (Vendis Capital, Chair)
  • Vincent Van Bueren (Gimv, Deputy Chair)
  • Jan Alexander (BVA Secretary General)
  • Ludovic Battard (Alcopa)
  • Phaedra Beyers (Strada)
  • Martin de Brabant (FPIM
  • Karien Husson (PMV)
  • John Mansvelt (Apheon)
  • Pieter-Jan Mermans (Junction)
  • Isabelle Oostens (Wallonie Entreprendre)
  • Jessica Peters (Argos Wityu)
  • Raf Roelands (Heran Partners)
  • Christina Takke (V-Bio Ventures)
  • Patty Terryn (BNP Paribas Fortis)
  • Leslie Totté (Capricorn)
  • Rita Van Den Abeel (Incofin)
  • Hilde Van Der Straeten (Korys)
  • Gilles van Hulle (Fortino)
  • Joachim Vansanten (Quanteus/RSQ)

Tax & Legal Committee

The planned tax reform of our Minister of Finance Vincent Van Peteghem would have had desastrous consequences for Belgium’s invest climate. A long standing, stable tax climate was to be replaced by uncertainty and new rules that threaten our venture capital and private equity industry in its very existence.

The BVA Tax & Legal Committee has written a memo to the Minister of Finance, which you can read here: Dutch version – French version.

*** You can read or download the communication note we have written here: Dutch version – French version ***

The Tax & Legal Committee monitors new and upcoming legislation affecting the VC/PE industry and more in general, makes in depth studies on tax or legal matters relevant for the VC/PE industry. Its aim is to provide information to BVA members on these topics, inter alia by way of workshops and news alerts. Where relevant, the Committee assists the BVA in its active lobbying mission.

Chairpersons of the Tax & Legal Committee are Edmond Bastijns (Gimv) and Emmanuelle Strauven (Wallonie Entreprendre – as of September 2022). Marthe Wouters (Contrast) is secretary of the committee.

The other members are:

Representatives of the industry: are Jan Alexander (Secretary General BVA), Tom Decloedt (Quaestor), Matthias Desimpelaere (PMV), Matthias De Witte (Droia), Karine Fabry (Wallonie Entreprendre), Françoise Genion (BNP Paribas Fortis), Nele Govaert (Ackermans & van Haaren), Rafaël Hulpiau (Verlinvest), Céline Van Bever (Fortino), Julie Van Cauwenberghe (Vendis), Katti Van Oosterwijck (Korys), Alexandra Vanhoudenhoven (SFPI – FPIM) and Tom Matthijs (Cobepa).

Advisors: Bart Bellen (Contrast), Robrecht Coppens (Loyens & Loeff), Deborah Janssens (Freshfields), Charles-Antoine Leunen (Linklaters), Quentin Masure (Tiberghien), Isabelle Panis (Allen & Overy), Philippe Rens (Argo), Peter-Jan Smet (DLA Piper), Nick Van Gils (EY), Henk Verstraete (Stibbe), Matthias Wauters (Eubelius), Luc Wynant (Van Olmen & Wynant).

The reporting to the Board of Directors is handled by Jan Alexander, Secretary General.