VAB, Belgium’s largest mobility organisation, will undergo a leadership transition in mid-2026. Outgoing CEO Geert Markey has announced on LinkedIn that he will retire on 1 July 2026, with Werner Eetezonne to succeed him.
The move marks a significant shift at the top of a company that plays a central role in roadside assistance, insurance services, driver training, and services that support both buyers and sellers in second-hand car sales.
In his post, Markey praised Eetezonne as “the right man” to lead VAB into the future and emphasised that both will work in parallel for several months to ensure a smooth transition.
Markey, who has led VAB through a period of steady expansion and digitalisation, is widely credited with strengthening the organisation’s financial stability and standing within Belgium’s rapidly evolving mobility landscape.
Bolero CEO
Eetezonne, 57, comes from within the KBC Group, VAB’s parent company. Best known as the CEO of Bolero, KBC’s online investment platform, he has built a reputation for guiding digital transformation and enhancing customer engagement.
Under his leadership, Bolero gained recognition as one of Belgium’s most user-centric investment services. His earlier roles inside KBC further underline his experience with technology-driven services and retail customer behavior.
Before rising to prominence at Bolero, Eetezonne built a broad career within the KBC Group, where he held roles spanning corporate banking, investment services, and digital client interfaces.
Continuity in culture
While shifting from retail investment to mobility services may seem like a notable pivot, the appointment aligns with KBC’s broader strategic approach.
Markey himself also came from the financial sector before taking up the top job at VAB. The choice of another KBC profile suggests continuity in culture and governance, with an anticipated focus on digital development, customer experience, and integrated service models.
Neither VAB nor Eetezonne has outlined detailed changes to the organisation’s strategy. The announcement frames the leadership change as an evolution rather than a disruption.
Eetezonne will begin working alongside Markey from April onward, an unusually long handover period in Belgian corporate practice. For VAB, which manages nationwide assistance fleets, mobility products, and insurance-linked services, operational continuity is central to maintaining reliability for millions of customers.
