Koen Verniers
“By uniting our interests and efforts, all of us and all of the next generation European citizens have the opportunity to achieving more prosperity, self-determination and independence than any of the member states individually are able to achieve.
This very idea of bringing together different backgrounds and belief systems is essential when looking for the north star we follow while tackling the usual challenges we face and figuring out how to best capture the many opportunities that lay ahead on our path.
As a mentor for United Europe, I look forward to offering a sounding board to up-and-coming European talents discovering their very own north star as privileged witnesses to a European Union which is never perfect but continuously aiming to being the best it can be.”
Approach
Koen has lived and worked in Asia, Europe and the US and on his travels developed a keen understanding of the importance of diversity. Looking for and embracing different views helps us to innovate and grow as human beings and in business. Koen brings extensive experience in running businesses across different cultures. He likes to offer suggestions from different angles and seeks to listen and ask questions with the aim to find the shared values and viewpoints that, despite the differences and obstacles we face, allow us to progress our cause.
Career History
Koen holds a master’s degree in applied economic sciences from the University of Antwerp. From 2015 to 2019 he served as Group Managing Director for Hamburg based Oiltanking, a global independent operator of petroleum, chemicals and gas storage terminals.
He had joined the Group in 1997 as a management trainee at Oiltanking in Ghent. During his 20 plus years career with the company he worked as a commercial manager in Houston, as finance manager and head of controlling in Hamburg and subsequently in various senior leadership roles in the US, followed by China and Singapore where he was responsible for Asia Pacific.
Koen currently runs an advisory business working with a number of infrastructure investment companies as well as with non profit organisations in the capacity of (start-up) investor, strategic advisor, executive mentor and independent board member.
Personal
Koen has the Belgian nationality and was born in 1970. He is married and has three children. Mid 2020 he returned to Belgium and since lives in Ghent.