Gérald Frère
Gérald Frère | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 17, 1951 Charleroi, Belgium |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, businessman |
| Known for | Chairman of Groupe Bruxelles Lambert |
Gérald Frère (born 17 May 1951) is a Belgian billionaire entrepreneur, serving as chairman of Groupe Bruxelles Lambert since January 2012 and formerly its CEO. As of August 2024, his fortune was valued by Forbes at approximately US$3.3 billion.
Early life
Gérald, the firstborn of Albert Frère and Nelly Poplimont, was born in Charleroi, Belgium.
Career
He holds the position of chairman at Loverval Finance, Groupe Bruxelles Lambert, Stichting Administratie Kantoor Bierlaire, and Domaines Frère-Bougeois, while also acting as vice chairman of Pargesa Holding. Additionally, he functions as managing director for Financière de la Sambre, Frère-Bourgeois, and Pargesa Holding.
After Albert Frère’s period as regent of the National Bank of Belgium, Gérald was appointed to the regency in 1998, a decision that raised nepotism concerns. In 2018, his son Cédric was named regent, a move that faced significant criticism regarding nepotism. Cédric’s term concluded after one year amidst demands for greater female inclusion within the regency.
Frère also serves on the boards of Power Financial, ERBE, Fonds Charles-Albert Frère, Haras de la Bierlaire, and Stichting Administratie Kantoor Frère-Bourgeois.
The selection of his son Cédric for the National Bank’s regency ignited public discussion about governance standards and transparency in prominent Belgian financial institutions.
Private life
He is a father to two sons, Cédric and William, and lives in Gerpinnes.