Michèle Sioen (Sioen Industries) wins the Vlerick Enterprising Leader Award 2023 and Jürgen Degrande (Edgard & Cooper) wins the Vlerick Venture Award 2023
During an award show on Wednesday 21 June at the Handelsbeurs in Ghent, the winners of the 22nd 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 Michèle Sioen, CEO of Sioen Industries. Jürgen Degrande, cofounder of Edgard & Cooper, 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, whose organisation has a positive impact on society. The company will have grown into a major, strong player at the top in a sustainable way.
Michèle Sioen, CEO of Sioen Industries: “I am very proud and truly honoured to have won this award. Vlerick believes the world needs entrepreneurial leaders who can make change happen, both in their organisations and in society. Receiving this award is an acknowledgement that Sioen Industries embodies that vision of transformative power. The school has helped to shape us via our iGMO membership. IGMO helped me to develop the knowledge, skills and network necessary to succeed in our venture; it is through entrepreneurship that we create innovative solutions, drive economic growth and make a positive impact on society. I hope that Sioen Industries can inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.”.
The Vlerick Venture Award puts a young, enterprising Vlerick alumnus in the spotlight as the owner or founder of a rapidly growing company that has a positive impact on our society.
Jürgen Degrande, cofounder of Edgard & Cooper: “Back in 2015, I transitioned back from the US straight into a Full-time MBA programme at Vlerick. Vlerick took me out of my comfort zone and provided the headspace to become an entrepreneur. Vlerick helped me to upskill my blind spots and use them in my entrepreneurial journey at Edgard & Cooper. Today’s venture award is a testimonial of the hard work of the whole Edgard & Cooper Pack. We’re on a mission to protect the great outdoors for people, our pets and the future of our planet. We understand that change is not easy, but we are committed to doing the hard work and making an impact in our pet consumer space. Vlerick has evolved over time towards amazing support to entrepreneurs, providing a platform to learn and speak. I’m super grateful for the school that supported me from the moment I decided to start my own venture till today, receiving the venture award.”
Other nominees for the Vlerick Venture Award 2023
- Dieter Aelvoet – CEO and owner of aim.group
Alumnus of Masters in Marketing Management (2007) - Femke Helon – Owner of 3Motion
Alumnus SME Excellence (2020-2021)
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 Michèle Sioen
- CEO of Sioen Industries
- Alumnus iGMO
Sioen Industries was founded in 1960. Michèle Sioen took over as CEO from her father in 2005 to lead this global textile solution enterprise and its extensive portfolio of products and activities. Its expertise lies in producing high-performance yarns, fibres, technical textiles, garments and colouring solutions. It provides tailor-made solutions to its customers across various sectors, including civil engineering, construction, transportation, automotive, agriculture, fire protection and maritime. Sioen Industries manages the entire industrial chain, from the production of yarn to the creation of the finished product.
The acquisitions of multiple innovative companies ensured that Sioen Industries remained the market leader. Under the leadership of Michèle Sioen, the 100% family-owned organisation exceeded 700m euros in turnover in 2022 while maintaining a strong focus on innovation and sustainability. In fact, 1.6% of its turnover is invested in Research & Development. The company has an impressive global presence as it employs over 5.800 employees in over 20 countries and records sales in over 110 countries worldwide.
About J ürgen Degrande
- Cofounder of Edgard & Cooper
- Alumnus Full-time MBA (2016)
In 2015, Jürgen Degrande co-founded Edgard & Cooper, a healthy pet food company, alongside his co-founders Louis and Koen. The company has grown fast and now employs over 200 people in its offices around Europe in Kortrijk and Kuurne, London, Paris, Düsseldorf, Rotterdam, Madrid, Milan. Edgard & Cooper’s fresh and tasty pet food is distributed in 13 countries and sold in over 15,000 shops and online. This year, the company is estimated to generate over €80m in net revenue. Not only has Edgard & Cooper pledged 1% of their net revenue to its foundation to create a better world for all cats and dogs, but the company is also aiming to achieve zero carbon, fully sustainable packaging, and 100% ethical sourcing.