Jeroen Ghysel becomes new CEO of Batopin
Batopin was established in 2020 on the initiative of the banks Belfius, BNP Paribas Fortis, ING and KBC. The aim was to jointly build a neutral and better distributed network of Bancontact CASH points to replace their own ATMs.
Jeroen Ghysel takes over the reins, 3 years after the start of Batopin
On 1st June 2023, Jeroen Ghysel becomes the new CEO of Batopin, subject to approval from the regulator (National Bank of Belgium).
45-year-old Jeroen Ghysel graduated as a Commercial Engineer in Policy Informatics from
KU Leuven. After a career as a consultant, he has worked in the financial sector for the past 16 years, including more than eight years as an executive director at AXA Bank Belgium, where he was responsible for areas such as retail banking, transformation and IT.
His experience in change-related processes will help contribute to the further expansion of support for Batopin. Ghysel aims to bring stability and implement the new Batopin network sustainably against a background in which social changes in relation to payment methods and the requirements of cash users are not always the same.
“Batopin is a strong business that has taken on an important social and economic role in our society,” says Jeroen Ghysel. “Together with the team, I am looking forward to being able to make a contribution towards the further expansion of the new cash network. I fully understand the sometimes-concerned reactions from the public and associations about access to cash. Our aim with the new Bancontact CASH points is to do everything we can to safeguard access to cash for everyone. Even in an increasingly digital environment, we need to make cash available in an efficient, secure and consumer-friendly way.”
A new cash network for Belgium
Three years ago, Kris De Ryck headed the introduction of this new cash network. Prior to that, he oversaw the launch of mobile payments in Belgium at Bancontact and the creation of the itsme® identity app.
“Starting up and building a totally new cash network was a serious challenge,” says De Ryck. “The number of active Bancontact CASH points has now already reached the 300 mark, which is a genuine achievement by the whole team. But, of course, the work is far from finished and I wish my successor every success in the continued implementation of this much-valued project”
Daniël de Clerck, Chairman of the Board of Directors:
“We extend a warm welcome to Jeroen Ghysel and would like to thank Kris De Ryck for having brought the company to this point. The recent agreement with the government confirms the commitment of the four major banks behind Batopin. Our mission remains unchanged: to ensure structural access to cash in Belgium for the future. This is a promise that Jeroen Ghysel and his team will undoubtedly succeed in fulfilling. His specific areas of experience will ensure that the social interests and convenience of the users of Bancontact CASH points will always be at the heart of the further rollout of the network.”