Vlerick Business School appoints new dean

Vlerick Business School, with campuses in Ghent, Antwerp and Brussels, has appointed Marion Debruyne as its new dean. Debruyne takes over from Philippe Haspeslagh, who is retiring, from 1 August. Her six-year contract was approved yesterday by the institution’s board.

The new dean is no stranger to the school’s students: Debruyne has spent the last 10 years at Vlerick as a professor of marketing strategy and innovation. Since 2012, she has headed the school’s Masters programmes.

Before Vlerick, Debruyne, 42, spent five years in the United States, where she was connected to various management and business schools. Alongside publishing in many renowned international journals, she also built strong ties with the corporate world by means of various chairs and in-company training programmes. She’s currently on the board of cinema chain Kinepolis and foam products company Recticel.

Vlerick chair Roch Doliveux said that Debruyne had “amazing energy, impressive credentials and a solid international experience and mindset.” He added that the new dean has “a deep understanding of the Vlerick Spirit after 10 years as a well-respected academic and a strong affinity and network in the corporate world.”