The Board of the European Steel Association (EUROFER) has elected Geert Van Poelvoorde as its President. Mr Van Poelvoorde’s term is two years, effective immediately. “I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Mr Van Poelvoorde as he takes up the reins of the EUROFER Presidency”, said Axel Eggert, Director General of EUROFER. “Mr Van Poelvoorde’s leadership will ensure EUROFER can continue to support the steel industry in facing economic and policy challenges.”
Mr Van Poelvoorde takes over from Robrecht Himpe, who was EUROFER President from 2014 onwards. Mr Himpe is moving to handle other opportunities within the ArcelorMittal Group. Mr Van Poelvoorde is an Executive Vice President of ArcelorMittal and CEO of Flat Carbon Europe.
After the announcement of his election by the board, Mr Van Poelvoorde said, “I would like to thank Mr Himpe for his outstanding commitment to the organisation during his tenure, and for his tireless efforts in building EUROFER’s reputation as a serious partner in the Brussels policy sphere. EUROFER does vital work in shaping the policy debate, helping to establish the right regulatory environment for the European steel industry to flourish. I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to lead the organisation on behalf of all its members”.
Geert Van Poelvoorde is an Executive Vice President of ArcelorMittal and CEO of Flat Carbon Europe. He holds a degree in civil engineering and electronics from the University of Ghent, Belgium. Mr Van Poelvoorde began his career in 1989 as a project engineer at the Sidmar Gent hot strip mill, where he held several senior positions in the automation and process computer department. He moved to Stahlwerke Bremen in 1995 as senior project manager. Between 1998 and 2002 he headed a number of departments, and in 2003 he was appointed director of Stahlwerke Bremen, responsible for operations and engineering. In 2005 Mr Van Poelvoorde returned to ArcelorMittal Gent to take up the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) primary. In 2008 he became Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ArcelorMittal Gent with direct responsibility for primary operations. He was appointed CEO of the Business Division North within Flat Carbon Europe in 2009 and since January 2014, has been CEO of Flat Carbon Europe.
