Alain Van Groenendael new CEO at Arval

New year, new CEO. Effective 1 January, Alain Van Groenendael took over the reins at global vehicle leasing and business mobility company Arval. The Belgian replaces Philippe Bismut, who retired last week.

Mr Van Groenendael (pictured), a graduate of management school ICHEC and the Université de Saint-Louis (both in Brussels), has 30 years’ experience in international business. He spent a large part of his career at Citibank, in various fields and locations, and was appointed its CEO for Western Europe and a member of its management committee. He also served as President of the Credit and Financial Services department at PPR Group, and CEO of Finaref.

In 2008, he joined BNP Paribas Personal Finance as Director and Deputy CEO for International Business and Marketing. In 2015, he was appointed CEO of the company and joined BNP Paribas Group’s management committees for International Financial Services and Retail Banking. He played a leading role in the international development of the group by forming many strategic partnerships in the financial services, vehicle and distribution industries, as well as encouraging the digital transformation of the company. 

From November 2017 to June 2018, Mr Van Groenendael served as CEO of Opel Vauxhall Finance. Simultaneously, he also was Vice President of the French Association of Financial Societies (ASF) and President of Eurofinas, the European Federation of Credit Institution Associations. 

“It is with great pride that I join Arval”, Mr Van Groenendael says. “I would like to acknowledge the work of my predecessor Philippe Bismut, who has shown responsibility and boldness during his eight years at the head of Arval. It is now my responsibility to bring further innovative support and solutions to adapt our offer to continuously changing mobility needs. Arval's employees in 29 countries around the world can count on my total commitment to our success.”

Image: BNP Paribas