Deutsche Lufthansa AG, shareholder of SN Airholding, has approved the appointment of a new chairperson and two new Directors in the Board of Directors of SN Airholding, the holding company above Brussels Airlines. As of 25 November, Christina Foerster, member of the Lufthansa Group Executive Board, will be the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors. Former Henkel CEO Hans Van Bylen and Elia CFO Catherine Vandenborre join the Board as representatives of the Belgian federal government, bringing their vast economic expertise to their role as board members. Etienne Davignon and co-chairman Jan Smets leave their duties on the board.

Previously CEO and CCO of the Belgian airline, Christina Foerster will be appointed chairwoman of the SN Airholding Board of Directors. Together with Jan Smets, she shared the chairmanship until now. Etienne Davignon (since 2 September 2020) and Jan Smets (effective 24 November 2020) pass the torch on to two other Belgian nationals: Hans Van Bylen, former CEO of Henkel and Catherine Vandenborre, Chief Financial Officer at Elia. Both bring extensive experience to the table. The two appointments are part of the agreement with the Belgian government on the financial stabilization package that was concluded on 2 September 2020.

Christina Foerster: “I want to sincerely thank Jan Smets and Etienne Davignon for their immense contributions and dedication. Etienne Davignon has truly helped shape Brussels Airlines from its very beginnings. We welcome Hans Van Bylen and Catherine Vandenborre who without a doubt will be invaluable to the future successes of Brussels Airlines. We are confident that with this new setup of the SN Airholding Board, Brussels Airlines is set to further develop a sustainable future within the Lufthansa Group as one of the four Network Airlines and the Africa specialist within the group, building on the potential of Brussels and Belgium as an important aviation hub and on the decades long experience on the African continent.”

The new board composition will take effect as from 25 November:

  • Christina Foerster, Member of the Lufthansa Group Executive Board Customer, IT & Corporate Responsibility and former CEO/CCO of Brussels Airlines (Chairwoman)
  • Hans Van Bylen, former CEO of Henkel
  • Catherine Vandenborre, Chief Financial Officer at Elia
  • Heike Birlenbach, Head of Sales Network Airlines and CCO of Lufthansa airline
  • Jörg Beissel, Head of Corporate Controlling at Deutsche Lufthansa AG
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