Guido Vanherpe (La Lorraine Bakery Group) wins the Vlerick Enterprising Leader Award 2024 and Dimitri O (Loop Earplugs) wins the Vlerick Venture Award 2024
At an award show on Thursday, 26 September at the Wintercircus in Ghent, the winners of the 23rd edition of the Vlerick Award were announced in the presence of numerous business leaders and alumni. The Vlerick Award is presented annually by Vlerick Business School as a tribute to two successful Vlerick alumni who, as entrepreneurs and business leaders, are at the helm of fast-growing organisations. The Vlerick Enterprising Leader Award went to Guido Vanherpe, Group CEO of La Lorraine Bakery Group. Dimitri O, Co-Founder of Loop Earplugs, received the Vlerick Venture Award.
The Vlerick Enterprising Leader Award is bestowed by Vlerick Business School on a business leader and Vlerick alumnus with a convincing track record in the areas of leadership and entrepreneurship, and whose organisation has a positive impact on society. The company will have grown into a major player in a sustainable way.
Guido Vanherpe, Group CEO of La Lorraine Bakery Group: “I am very proud and truly honoured to win the Vlerick Enterprising Leader Award. Winning a leadership award is one thing, winning an enterprising leadership award personally touches me deeply. In a fast-growing company, becoming bigger while maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit, is key to long-lasting success. Keeping the flame of entrepreneurship burning gives me a lot of energy, but it also keeps me awake at night as one always needs to go for the last mile. I try to lead with a focus on the frontline, close to the employees, to our products, and our customers. The collaboration with Vlerick helps me and many La Lorraine Bakery Group entrepreneurs to connect strategy and action in an entrepreneurial way. Embedding sustainability in our strategy is the next challenge; it’s about sustainable growth and, above all, about creating a significant positive impact on the world and humanity. That’s the legacy I want to leave to the future generations.”
The Vlerick Venture Award puts a young, entrepreneurial Vlerick alumnus in the spotlight as the owner or founder of a rapidly growing company that has a positive impact on society.
Dimitri O, Co-Founder of Loop Earplugs: “We are beyond honoured to receive the Vlerick Venture Award 2024, a recognition that holds deep personal significance for me and our team. Loop’s journey has always been about creating meaningful solutions that make people’s lives better, and this award is a testament to the passion, resilience, and continuous learning of everyone involved. What makes this moment truly special is the alignment between Vlerick’s values and our own – pushing the boundaries of innovation while keeping people and their needs at the core of everything we do. Learning from others has been crucial to our progress, and it’s both humbling and motivating to be recognised by such a respected institution. This strengthens our commitment to continue developing products that enhance well-being and everyday life.”
Other nominees for the Vlerick Venture Award 2024
- An Deraemaeker – Founder of Justified
Alumna of Masters in Marketing Management (2014) - Quentin Vaquette – Founding Partner at Wavemaker Impact
Alumnus of Masters in General Management (2010)
Marion Debruyne, Dean of Vlerick Business School: “The nominees for the Vlerick Award are all fantastic role models for our students because of their entrepreneurship and leadership. They also illustrate the impact of the school's alumni. On behalf of the professors and staff of Vlerick, I would like to congratulate them on the progress they have made and am already looking forward to seeing what they do next.”
About Guido Vanherpe
- Group CEO of La Lorraine Bakery Group
- Alumnus of iGMO 6
La Lorraine Bakery Group (LLBG) is a 100% Belgian family business with 85 years of experience in the milling and bakery sector. LLBG sells its products in more than 35 countries and produces its bakery products in 10 different countries. LLBG has a passion for growth and has the ambition to transform the bakery market with its years of expertise, new technologies and talented employees. The company operates in four business units: Frozen Bakery, Fresh Bakery, Store Concepts and Milling. The main financial objectives are long-term value creation and qualitative growth through innovation and entrepreneurship. The Group reports a revenue of EUR 1.36 billion in 2023. LLBG wants to remain sustainable and entrepreneurial and do good for all its stakeholders - to become not only a bigger but, above all, a better company.
About Dimitri O
- Co-Founder of Loop Earplugs
- Alumnus of SME Challenge (2013)
Loop Earplugs, a Belgian DTC lifestyle brand, is on a mission to help people ‘live life at their volume,’ by offering stylish, innovative earwear and breaking taboos around hearing protection. Founded in 2016 by Dimitri O and Maarten Bodewes, Loop reported €126.5 million in revenue for 2023, tripling its growth from 2022. And its global presence now spans over 150 countries, including key markets in the US and UK. Named one of Fast Company's World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2024, Loop has helped millions take control of their sound environment, improving focus, relaxation, and well-being through cutting-edge technology and a dynamic team.