Committees
Executive committee
Jean-Pierre Hanin
Chief Executive Officer
Jean-Pierre Hanin joined Cofinimmo in February 2018 and holds several offices in Cofinimmo group subsidiaries. He has a Law degree from the KUL (Catholic University of Leuven). He also holds a Master’s degree in Tax Management from the Solvay Business School and an LL.M from Georgetown University. He started his career as a business attorney and subsequently joined several international groups in which he assumed financial and management positions, including Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer of Lhoist group, a global leader in lime and dolomite. More recently, he was Chief Financial Officer then manager of the ‘Building Performance’ division of the construction materials group Etex. His functions led him to operate in various regions around the world for over 20 years, and engage in both consolidation and development activities. Within Cofinimmo, he oversees the Data Management, ESG and HR & Internal Communication departments.
Jean Kotarakos
Chief Financial Officer
Jean Kotarakos joined Cofinimmo in June 2018 as Chief Financial Officer. He holds a degree in Commercial Engineering from the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management (ULB). Since 2010, he has taught in the Real Estate Executive Programme (at ULB until 2021, and VUB since). He also holds several mandates in Cofinimmo group subsidiaries. Jean Kotarakos has held numerous financial positions in various companies during his career. After working for KPMG and D’Ieteren for approximately ten years, he joined Aedifica, where he was Chief Financial Officer from 2007 to May 2018. Within Cofinimmo, he oversees Accounting, Control, External Communication, Investor Relations, IT, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Treasury departments.
Françoise Roels
Chief Corporate Affairs and Secretary General
Françoise Roels joined Cofinimmo in August 2004. She is a Law graduate (RUG 1984), candidate in Philosophy (RUG 1984) and holds a Master’s degree in Taxation (École Supérieure des Sciences Fiscales 1986). She also holds several mandates in Cofinimmo group subsidiaries. Before joining Cofinimmo, Françoise Roels worked for the Loyens law firm, for Euroclear/JP Morgan and for the Belgacom group. Her previous responsibilities covered tax affairs and corporate governance. She is in charge of the company’s general secretariat and its compliance and risk management functions. She is also responsible for matters involving shareholders and relations with the Belgian financial oversight authorities. Within Cofinimmo, she oversees the Corporate Governance, Legal and Tax departments.
Sébastien Berden
Chief Operating Officer
Sébastien Berden joined Cofinimmo in 2004, first as Investor Relations Officer, then as Development Manager Healthcare, and Head of Healthcare, a position he held from 2011 to 2018. He has served as Chief Operating Officer Healthcare since July 2018. He holds several mandates in Cofinimmo group subsidiaries. He is also a director of Aldea Group SA/NV and SCI Foncière CRF. Sébastien Berden holds a Master’s degree in Applied Economics from the University of Antwerp. He also pursued a post-graduate training in financial analysis and completed a Leadership Development Programme at Harvard Business School. In addition, he holds a post-graduate degree in Hospital and Care Management from the UCL. He started his career in 1998 at KPMG as Financial Auditor and Corporate Finance Consultant. Within Cofinimmo, he oversees the Healthcare Belgium, Healthcare France, Healthcare Netherlands, and Healthcare New Geographies departments.
Yeliz Bicici
Chief Operating Officer
Yeliz Bicici joined Cofinimmo as Property Manager in 2008, then as Area Manager and subsequently as Development Manager, before becoming Head of Development in 2014. She assumes the role of Chief Operating Officer Offices & Real Estate Development since July 2018. Additionally, she holds several mandates in Cofinimmo group subsidiaries. She is also a director of Mirabel Hoiva Oy. She holds a dual Master’s degree in Real Estate from Antwerp Management School and KUL, she completed the General Management Programme at the Harvard Business School. She attended a post-graduate training at the University of Ghent and some post-graduate trainings in financial analysis. Before joining Cofinimmo, she worked for the developer Robelco (JV of E. De Vocht and J. Lisman) from 2001 to 2008, and for Uniway until 2001. Within Cofinimmo, she supervises Healthcare Germany, Healthcare Spain, Healthcare Nordic Countries departments as well as the Development, Project Management, Offices, and Distribution Networks departments.
Roel Dumont
Chief Human Resources Officer
Roel Dumont joined Cofinimmo in June 2021. As a seasoned HR professional, he brings extensive expertise in strategic HR management and organisational development to the table. His academic background includes a bachelor's degree in Law from the University of Antwerp (UA) and a Master's degree in Law from the Catholic University of Leuven (KUL). Additionally, he attended business administration training at EMS (EHSAL Management School). His professional journey began in 1997 as a project manager and company lawyer at CIPAL. His passion for people management and organisational development led him to transition into HR roles in 2000, starting at Alken-Maes Breweries where he held positions of HR Manager in Belgium and later Global Head of Reward Strategy for Scottish & Newcastle plc. In 2008, he joined Tessenderlo Group, where he embarked on a 13-year career journey across various Global HR roles, including Vice President of HR. At Tessenderlo Group, he also served as President of the European Works Council and President of the Belgian and UK Pension Fund. Beyond his professional endeavours, he has actively served as a judge in the Labour Court and the Labour Court of Appeal since 2007. Within Cofinimmo, he oversees the HR and internal communication department and he has been a member of the Executive Committee since 01.06.2024.
Sophie Grulois
General Counsel
Sophie Grulois joined Cofinimmo in April 2020. She holds a law degree from the KUL (1998), a LL. M in International Business Law from King’s College London (1999) and an Executive Master in Real Estate from Solvay (2011). She also attended a finance course at Insead (2023). Sophie Grulois is in charge of the legal affairs of the group. She started her career as a lawyer doing mainly corporate law. As of 2004 and for 7 years, she worked for Goodman, an Australian industrial property group, as a legal manager throughout Europe. Between 2013 and 2020, she has been with Immobel where she headed the legal department as of 2016. Besides her professional activities, she is active in the BE-REIT association and UPSI/BVS. Current position: General Counsel of Cofinimmo SA/NV. She has been a member of the Executive Committee since 01.06.2024.
Audit committee
Benoit Graulich
Chairman
Besides his general management experience, his experience in risk management and his knowledge of finance and M&A are major assets in his role as chairperson of the audit committee.
Jean Hilgers
Member
His exceptional expertise in financial management, risk management and prudential control brings significant added value to the company and is an important asset in his role on the Audit Committee.
Xavier de Walque
Member
His knowledge of finance, M&A, real estate, stock markets and the environment of listed companies, as well as his entrepreneurial spirit, are major assets to the financing policy and the sustainability of the company.
Appointments, remunerations and corporate governance committee
Jacques Van Rijckevorsel
Chairman
His deep knowledge of the health and hospital sectors, ESG issues, including climate-related topics, and more specifically of governance issues, as well as of the Belgian business world, in particular of listed companies, and his leadership position are major assets in the performance of his duties as chairperson of the board of directors and of the nomination, remuneration and corporate governance committee.
Olivier Chapelle
Member
His extensive experience in investment and operational management, as well as his experience as Chief Executive Officer of a listed industrial company, and his knowledge of governance issues, are major assets for Cofinimmo’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Inès Archer-Toper
Member
Her extensive expertise in real estate, and finance, particularly in France, M&A experience and entrepreneurial spirit support the company’s continued growth.
