Professional Role and Career Overview
Kris Vervaet currently holds the position of Chief Information Officer (CIO) at KBC Bank & Verzekering, having assumed this role effective March 1, 2024. He succeeded Isabel Van Mele, who transitioned to an international role within the KBC Group focused on Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Business Development. Prior to his CIO appointment, Kris served as Senior General Manager, Group Organization and Operations at KBC Bank & Verzekering.
His leadership at KBC involves managing a team of more than 3,500 professionals within KBC Global Services, which operates in multiple countries including Czechia and Bulgaria. Under his stewardship, these centers have been recognized as Top Employer 2025 for the third consecutive year, underlining a sustained commitment to organizational excellence and employee engagement.
Earlier in his career, Kris was CEO of DPG Media Belgium (2018–end 2023), a leading media company where he also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Streamz, a Flemish streaming service launched jointly by DPG Media and Telenet. His tenure at DPG Media was marked by significant strategic initiatives including:
- Launch and governance of Streamz, contributing to milestones in Flemish media history.
- Overseeing acquisitions such as RTL Belgium and Mobile Vikings, supporting DPG Media’s diversification and digital transformation goals.
These roles reflect his strengths in steering large-scale organizational change and digital innovation across industries.
Current Responsibilities and Influence at KBC
As CIO of KBC, Kris Vervaet leads the group-wide IT and digital transformation agenda, leveraging a broad operational scope including:
- Responsibility for digital infrastructure, information management, and operational efficiency.
- Driving integration and innovation within the KBC Global Services network, which supports KBC Bank & Verzekering’s banking and insurance activities.
- Enhancing shared services across multiple European hubs, including Czechia and Bulgaria, where the global services entities have earned reputational accolades.
His role involves direct collaboration with business units to align technological capabilities with enterprise strategy, emphasizing transformation initiatives that improve agility, customer experience, and competitive positioning within the financial services sector.
Organizational Context: KBC Group and Global Services
KBC Group is a major financial institution headquartered in Belgium, offering integrated banking and insurance products primarily in Belgium, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, and Bulgaria. KBC Global Services functions as the group’s hub for operational excellence and cost efficiency, providing:
- Back-office processing
- IT services and digital solutions
- Customer service and organizational support
The designation of Top Employer in 2025 for its Czech and Bulgarian centers highlights KBC’s focus on talent development and sustainable workplace practices under Kris Vervaet’s leadership umbrella.
Relevant Professional Milestones and Public Recognition
- Top Employer 2025 certification for KBC Global Services in Czechia and Bulgaria, awarded for the third consecutive year, signaling a robust culture of high performance and employee satisfaction.
- Leadership in media and digital transformation during his time at DPG Media, including his role in launching a major regional streaming platform.
- Strategic executive transitions within prominent organizations, indicative of his recognized capability to lead complex organizational and technological transformations.
Location and Network
Based in Ghent, Belgium, Kris maintains a strong regional influence in Flemish business circles, with active leadership roles in significant Flemish enterprises historically (DPG Media) and now in the financial sector (KBC). His professional network includes executives in digital innovation, media, banking technology, and shared services.
Sources:
- LinkedIn profile of Kris Vervaet: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/krisvervaet](https://www.linkedin.com/in/krisvervaet)
- KBC Group and KBC Global Services public announcements and LinkedIn updates
- News and leadership reports on DPG Media and KBC executive appointments
- Recognition reports on Top Employer 2025 certification of KBC Global Services
This profile positions Kris Vervaet as a senior technology and operations leader with extensive experience in managing digital transformation, organizational operations, and cross-border shared services within highly regulated and competitive environments. His recent CIO appointment at KBC underscores his critical role in shaping the group's technology strategy and operational capabilities.
