Frans has more than 20 years of prior experience as Senior Executive.

He has been Group Vice President, Group Business Development (CSO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at N.V. BEKAERT.

Frans has been 7 years the CTO of Beaulieu International Group. He had to start from scratch, structured and implemented the overall Innovation Excellence organization and approach.

Frans has built strong expertise in business management, strategic analysis, innovation, research and development, technology, operations, change management, hiring training and coaching talent, restructuring, growing new businesses and creating radical change.

As the general manager business development he was also responsible for Corporate Venturing and served as director in different boards of US and Israel based early stage companies.
During his career Frans has tasted all aspects of entrepreneurship related to technology driven enterprises.

Frans is currently managing director of Solfirmus BV, specialised in consultancy related to management, strategy and innovation, lean operations and technology organisation. Today he is offering part-time or full-time advice or management solutions for strategy and innovation, technology, industry 4.0 transformation, operational excellence and business management to the manufacturing industry. He is also member of the investment committee of Qbic fund and member of the advisory board of Flanders Make.

Frans holds a M.Sc. in Electromechanical Engineering from VUB University of Brussels and a M.Sc.I.E. in Electronic Engineering from KIH West Flanders. He has also followed the General Management Programme at the European Centre for Executive Development, Insead, Fontainebleau, France.