Bjorn Van Reet (born July 17, 1977) is a high-impact leader in ICT, Digital, Innovation, and Transformation. Known for his “people-first” approach to technology, Bjorn believes that digital evolution is only as strong as the human connection behind it. He lives in Hofstade (Zemst, Belgium) with his partner Grietje Vanderheijden and their four children: Wout, Daan, Lien, and Lotte.
The Entrepreneurial Foundation
Bjorn’s journey into the digital world began early. While still studying, he founded Desonet (Design On the Net), a web development company that pushed the boundaries of the internet during its formative years. After starting his career at Inventive Designers, he joined the Cronos Group, where he was mentored by owner Jef De Wit—an experience that was pivotal to his professional and personal development.
Leadership at Scale: Adecco & Kinepolis
Bjorn spent 14 transformative years at the Adecco Group. Starting as a System Manager, he rose to become CIO for Adecco Belgium and eventually VP Client Management for EMEA. His tenure culminated in a dual role as Managing Director of Modis & Customer Care and IT Director for the group in Belgium, blending technical oversight with high-level business management.
In his subsequent role as CIO at Kinepolis Group, Bjorn spearheaded the digital strategy for one of the world’s fastest-growing cinema groups. Operating across 9 countries and 110 complexes, he focused on putting the customer at the center of the ultimate cinema experience. Even during the global challenges of the pandemic, Bjorn successfully accelerated the group’s digital shift.
Driving the Future at Fednot
Today, Bjorn serves as the Chief Information & Digital Officer (CIDO) at Fednot (The Royal Federation of Belgian Notaries). In this role, he leads the digital transformation of the notarial profession, ensuring that technology serves as a secure, efficient, and innovative bridge between the legal sector and the citizen.
Award-Winning Vision & Board Leadership
Bjorn’s expertise is widely recognized by the global tech community:
- CIO of the Year (2018): Awarded by Data News for his digital vision and strategy.
- Best Public Speaker (2018): Named by CIONet, the world’s largest CIO community, for his high-energy talks on People, Technology, and our fast-changing world.
- CDO of the Year (2021): Awarded by Computable for driving digital change during one of the most difficult periods in the cinema industry.
Beyond his executive roles, Bjorn is a respected board member of Beltug (The Belgian Association of Digital Technology Leaders) and serves on the Supervisory Board (Raad van Commissarissen) of Ordina/Sopra Steria, helping organizations stay “ahead of change.”
Philosophy: Balance is Key
Bjorn is a firm believer that to lead others, you must first lead yourself. He is passionate about leadership development and constantly challenges his own boundaries. He maintains that a healthy professional life is impossible without a healthy personal life; therefore, he prioritizes time with his family, sports, and a balanced lifestyle.
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