On April 17, 2025, the Leadership Club hosted an exclusive In the Boardroom event at Belgoprocess in Dessel, the beating heart of nuclear waste management in Belgium. Set against the backdrop of one of the country’s most crucial industrial sites, this event offered participants a rare glimpse into how Belgium is pioneering sustainable decommissioning practices. As always, true to the spirit of the Leadership Club, it was an evening “where great people meet and get inspired.”
We are particularly grateful to the team at Belgoprocess and especially Wim Van Laer for their warm welcome, expert guidance, and support in creating a truly insightful experience for our members and guests.
Guided Tour Highlights
The evening began with a guided tour through the exhibition hall, led by a seasoned expert in radioactive waste management. Attendees gained in-depth knowledge about radioactivity, the challenges of safely managing nuclear materials, and Belgium’s leadership role in sustainable decommissioning efforts.
Keynote Address: Wim Van Laer
Leadership in a Highly Regulated Environment
Following the tour, Mr. Wim Van Laer, CEO of Belgoprocess, delivered a captivating keynote speech. Drawing from his extensive leadership experience, Mr. Van Laer shared valuable insights on:
• Evolving stakeholder management within the Belgian nuclear industry
• Collaborations with governmental bodies and planning for long-term infrastructure
• Fostering leadership in a highly regulated and technically demanding environment
• Building and maintaining a strong safety culture at Belgoprocess
• Personal leadership lessons from navigating an industry that balances innovation, public trust, and stringent oversight
Did you know?
Nuclear risk can be devided into 3 distinct categories:
Radiation: the risk of radiation has similar properties that can be compared to the radiation of heat or the UV rays from the sun. That is, the intensity decreases as you move away from the source. It is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source. In easier terms, at double the distance the radiation drops to a quarter of the original value. Triple the distance and the radiation drops to one ninth.
Toxicity: most radioactive elements are toxic for the environment or when inhaled, ingested or even touched. One should take the same precautions as when handling other highly toxic materials: using proper equipment, special suits and proper procedure. This is very similar as what is done in many industries where toxic materials are handled.
Criticality: the risk of criticality is very strongly associated with nuclear materials. This risk involves the chain reaction that we know for example from inside a nuclear reactor, like e.g. Chernobyl. For criticality to happen, a very precise set of circumstances have to be created, for which one needs specially developed devices such as reactors or warheads. Criticality does not really happen under normal circumstances.
Mr. Van Laer’s reflections resonated deeply with the audience, offering not only an inside view into a unique sector but also universal leadership lessons applicable across industries.
Networking reception
As is tradition with Leadership Club events, the evening concluded with a networking reception. Participants connected over inspiring conversations, exchanging ideas and reflections sparked by the evening’s presentations. It was a prime opportunity for like-minded people to forge new relationships and deepen existing ones, all within a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Conclusion
The In the Boardroom event at Belgoprocess was far more than a company visit; it was an immersive experience into the future of safe, responsible innovation. Thanks to the collaboration between Leadership Club and Belgoprocess, participants walked away with a richer understanding of the complexities of nuclear waste management — and a good opportunity to network with their peers.
It was, once again, an evening where great people meet and get inspired.
