DESOTEC to transition leadership team Mr. Mario Hertegonne becomes Chairman; Mrs. Julie Santens appointed CEO

Europe’s leading provider of mobile filtration solutions, DESOTEC, today announced that Julie Santens, currently Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), will become the new Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) effective February 1, 2023. Mario Hertegonne, who successfully led the group since 2015, will become Chairman. Alexander Dehaene will be joining the business as our new CFO.

Since its inception in 1990, DESOTEC has pioneered the market for mobile filters, achieving exponential growth across its five key application fields of air emissions, chemicals, remediation, wastewater, and biogas. Its unique and innovative filter rental offering, combined with clear sustainable values, have enabled the company to expand into new regions and earn its reputation as the leading solution provider in Europe’s growing market. Mario Hertegonne joined DESOTEC as CEO in 2015. He has had an exceptional track record which includes having strategically focused the company on its closed-loop mobile filtration solutions on a pan-European scale, leading to more than tripled revenues and mobile filter solutions. As Chairman, Mario will remain fully involved in the strategic direction of the Company.

Current CEO, Mario Hertegonne, explains: “I remain extremely passionate about DESOTEC's vision, mission and sustainability impact, and am honoured to take the role as Chairman of the Board of Directors focussing on strategically shaping our way forward. I firmly believe that Julie is the perfect leader to further accelerate our sustainable, profitable growth trajectory. We’ve worked together very closely over the last 4 years and I’m looking forward to a continued successful collaboration.”

Julie Santens is a proven leader with considerable experience in implementing strategic change and improving performance. She joined the business in 2018 as CFO of the group, after a successful career at Boston Consulting Group and Hill+Knowlton Strategies. Overseeing responsibility for Finance, HR and Strategic & Digital Business Process Improvement, Julie has been a key driver for building the foundations for Desotec’s future growth path over the past 4 years.

Commenting on her appointment, Julie Santens said: “I’m delighted to take on the role of CEO to help grow the business and deliver on DESOTEC’s mission and expansion strategy. We have an ambition and opportunity to further expand our geographic presence, and scale the impact of our work across the world. We have an exceptional team, and it’s a privilege to lead the firm as it moves into its next stage of development. I look forward to working closely with Mario as Chairman, and am confident that with the continued support of our lead investor, Blackstone, we will be able to successfully execute our strategy.”

Juergen Pinker, Senior Managing Director, Blackstone, added: “On behalf of the Blackstone team, I would like to thank Mario for his outstanding commitment and contribution as CEO. The Company continues to go from strength to strength, and Mario played a pivotal role in driving growth of the business. As we look ahead, we have full confidence in Julie’s leadership and ability to deliver DESOTEC’s ambitious growth trajectory. We look forward to our continued partnership with Julie, and with Mario as Chairman.”