with Herman DAEMS, Chairman of the Board of BNP Paribas Fortis
Webinar with IDN Belgium Alumni – 13 May 2020
IDN Belgium invited the IDN Belgium network to listen to a speech on “Managing the Board in time of Crisis” with Herman DAEMS, Chairman of the Board of BNP Paribas Fortis. This webinar, moderated by Xavier BEDORET IDP-C, was attended by approximately 40 participants.
We began by raising the question of the priority to be given to short term vs. long term issues. Short-term topics undoubtedly include concerns about liquidity and solvency.
Secondly, is the widespread crisis a threat to the independence of our company? Or is it an opportunity to consolidate another player? Is the composition of the board, and in particular the diversity of profiles, a success factor? We are thinking not only of gender diversity, but also diversity of expertise in the field of digitalization and e-transactions. The quality of the relationship with the CEO and the executive team is essential. The teams must be close and aligned. Sometimes the chairman needs to manage tensions at the top.
In the longer term, we will have to measure the impact of the crisis on the value chain.
The speaker concluded by saying “our companies will be called upon by society to play a different role”.
By IDN Belgium Ambassador, Xavier BEDORET