Franck Baron
President, IFRIMA & Executive Team, International Affairs,
PARIMA
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Risk management powered by Gen-AI: how new technologies (Gen-AI and API) can help risk managers
Bastiaan Bruyndonckx
Partner
Lydian
Bastiaan Bruyndonckx is a partner in Lydian's Commercial & Litigation practice, where he leads the Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the Information Governance & Data Protection (Privacy), and the Intellectual Property (IP) practices.
With a specialisation in all aspects of data and technology law, Bastiaan focuses on information governance, data (both personal and non-personal), cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), IT and digital regulation, technology contracting and procurement, outsourcing, electronic communications (telecom), and e-commerce. His expertise extends to intellectual property law, encompassing trademarks, domain names, copyright, software rights, technology transfer arrangements, and R&D collaborations.
Use and abuse of AI
Georges Caron
Director of Business Development
B12 Consulting
Georges is an acknowledged and recognised entrepreneur with a specialism in Telecom, Media and new technologies and he is recognised as an AI pioneer in Europe.
Since 2016, Georges has invested in several companies and has an active role in Apptree, an AI based, automated platform for creating mobile apps. In 2024, he joined the Yuma group to develop their AI business activities.
How to use AI and big data to measure and report on environmental risks
Yvan De Mesmaeker
Secretary General
European Corporate Security Association – ECSA
Yvan De Mesmaeker, born in 1963, holds a Master's degree in Civil Engineering (M.Sc.Eng.) from the Free University of Brussels, and pursued further studies in Finance and International Marketing, conducted in Dutch, French, and English.
Commencing his professional journey in 1987 as an Industrial Marketing Manager at the Philips Group, Yvan contributed to projects for organizations such as NATO, major banks, telecom, energy, food processing, and logistics industries. He later served as the Marketing & Sales Manager for the EU and the US at the Asahi Glass Group.
In 1997, Yvan founded Omega Risk, an independent Audit & Consultancy firm specializing in advising major international corporations and organizations on Security, Resilience & Anticipation, along with providing strategic networking support.
In 2005, he completed the geopolitical High Studies in Security & Defense, organized by the Royal High Institute for Defense (RHID) and the Royal Institute for International Relations - EGMONT. Subsequently, he assumed the role of Secretary General at the European Corporate Security Association (ECSA), a non-profit organization focusing on the security and resilience of corporations and institutions.
Additionally, since 2009, Yvan has been serving as the Secretary General of ATHENA, the Alumni Association of the High Studies in Security & Defense.
Yvan's involvement in academia includes serving as the Director of the High Studies in Police, Justice & Corporate Security, organized by ECSA, the College for Senior Police Officers, the Judicial Training Institute, the Universities of Gent and Liège, and the Federation of Businesses in Belgium – FEB.
In 2012, he was appointed Vice Chairman of the Board of the Security Office of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), playing a crucial role in coordinating security efforts within the diamond industry.
In subsequent years, Yvan expanded his board member assignments, joining the Royal Higher Institute for Defence in 2021 and the Royal Institute for International Relations – EGMONT in 2022.
With over 30 years of professional experience, Yvan has operated extensively in Europe, the United States, and Asia, offering his expertise to corporations, organizations, and institutions.
Yvan's contributions to the field have been recognized by H.R.H. the King of Belgium, who bestowed upon him the Honorary distinctions of Officer in the Order of the Crown in 2017 for his achievements in Corporate Security and of Officer in the Order of Leopold in 2023 for his contributions to the Geopolitical domain.
Keynote presentation: Shifting landscapes: corporate security in the face of global instability
Faisal Setoe
Managing Director, HDI Global Netherlands
HDI Global
Faisal Setoe is the Managing Director of HDI Global Netherlands and a non-executive board member of the VNAB, with twenty years of experience in the insurance industry. He is a familiar face in the Dutch insurance world. Known for his expertise in risk management and strategic accomplishments, Faisal offers valuable insights into navigating today’s complex insurance challenges. His approachable, contemporary style and commitment to innovation and people resonate with industry leaders worldwide.
Market outlook – where do we stand post-elections? Securing the best deal in a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment.
Nanda Smeets
Risk- and Insurance Manager
Port of Rotterdam N.V.
Nanda has been working at the Port of Rotterdam for eight years, holding various positions before stepping into the role of Risk and Insurance Manager last year. As the first person to hold this position within the company, Nanda is fully responsible for establishing and shaping the role, developing a structured approach to risk management and insurance.
Nanda holds a law degree from Leiden University and brings strong analytical and strategic skills to the field of risk management. Before joining the port, Nanda lived and worked in Santiago, Chile, for 2.5 years, gaining international experience in legal and business environments. Passionate about ensuring resilience in complex operations, Nanda focuses on managing risks and insurance solutions that support the port’s long-term success.
AI, big data and insurance renewals
Bart Smets
Head Insurance & Risk
Umicore
After graduation from the Brussels University as Master in Law, Bart started to work as an insurance broker for a former Fortis company (Afidif). He then spent about 15 years of his career as an international insurance broker with companies like Willis Towers Watson and Van Breda Risk and Benefits, during which time he obtained a Master in Insurance and Risk Management from the University of Leuven.
In 2012, he joined Eurofins SE, an international life sciences company which provides analytical testing services across multiple industries as their Global Risk and Insurance Manager.
Since May 2017, Bart is heading the Insurance and Risk department at Umicore, a global materials technology and recycling group.
Market outlook – where do we stand post-elections? Securing the best deal in a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment.
Titus Tiel Groenestege
director safety, risk & insurance
Pon Holdings B.V.
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Market outlook – where do we stand post-elections? Securing the best deal in a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment.
Gregory van den Top
AI Practice Leader Europe
Marsh Advisory
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AI and the environmental impact of data centres: hidden costs and corporate responsibilities
Marielle van de Weijenberg
Managing Director, Major & Complex Clients
Aon
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AI, big data and insurance renewals
Willi Weber
Head of Data Analytics
HDI Global
Willi, with a background in business informatics, transitioned from software development at HDI Global natural catastrophe department to pioneering in analytics. He led the development of probabilistic models and pricing software, became head of data analytics, and architected HDI Global analytics transformation into an insight-driven company. Currently, he spearheads projects augmenting business processes through analytics and generative AI.
AI, big data and insurance renewals
