On Thursday, June 8, 2023 , Leadership Club was delighted to host another M&A Trends and Insights in collaboration with EY Belgium and Liedekerke. The evening featured a keynote address from mr. Eddy Duquenne, CEO of Kinepolis Group who shared valuable insights from his experiences. Founded as a merger between two cinema groups, Bert and Claeys, Kinepolis has evolved into a major player in the cinema industry. Key facts about Kinepolis include:
- Current Operations: The group operates 110 movie theatres across various countries, including Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Poland, Canada, and the USA.
- Workforce: Kinepolis employs over 4,000 people and attracts more than 41 million visitors annually.
- Diverse Activities: Beyond cinema operations, Kinepolis is involved in film distribution, event organization, screen publicity, and property management, demonstrating its commitment to innovation and adaptability.
Expert Panel Discussion

Eddy Duquenne
CEO
Kinepolis Group

Marc Cosaert
Partner M&A Advisory
EY

Christel Van den Eynden
Partner Corporate and Finance Practice Group
Liedekerke

Paul Verwilt
COO
Mediahuis

Prof. Hans Buysse
Adjunct Professor of Corporate Finance
Vlerick Business School
The M&A Trends and Insights event proved to be an invaluable experience for professionals in the field, offering a wealth of inspiration from a leading figure in the cinema industry. Eddy Duquenne's insights, coupled with the expertise of the panelists, provided attendees with a clear perspective on the evolving M&A landscape and the strategies necessary to navigate it successfully.