Didier Bellens
Didier Bellens (9 June 1955 – 28 February 2016) was a Belgian businessman and the CEO of Belgacom, Belgium's leading telecom company, from 2003 until 2013. He was married with three children and died on 28 February 2016.
Education and early career: He trained as a commercial engineer, graduating in 1978 from the Solvay Brussels School, Université Libre de Bruxelles. He began his career as an auditor at Deloitte Haskins & Sells, working on the Belgian arm of General Motors. In 1981 he became financial director of Compagnie Brussel Lambert (GBL), managing investments. In 1985 he moved to Pargesa Holding in Geneva as Deputy Manager, handling holdings and mergers.
GBL and RTL: In 1992 he returned to GBL as Managing Director, leading strategic participations and helping with major mergers and share exchanges. In 2001 he joined RTL Group as CEO, guiding its international expansion and taking the company public after merging CTL-UFA with Pearson Television.
Belgacom era and dismissal: In March 2003 he became Belgacom’s president and CEO, succeeding John J. Goossens. His Belgacom mandate was renewed in 2009 for six years. After a dispute with the board and the government, his relationship with Belgacom deteriorated and he was dismissed in 2013 for serious professional misconduct.
Other roles and recognitions: Bellens served on the boards of Belgacom ICS, Telindus, Proximus, Scarlet SA and Tango, and on the boards of AXA Belgium, VOKA and FEB. He also held various advisory and honorary positions, including with CV Capital Partners, NYSE’s International Advisory Council, the Erasmus Foundation, the ULB Foundation, and Solvay Business School.
Panama Papers: In April 2016 his name appeared in the Panama Papers.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 07:55 (CET).