Bart Van Winkel

25+ years of C-level experience (CEO/COO) in automotive, building materials, energy, and mobility

Active in multinationals, family-owned companies, and private equity environments across Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as ScaleUPS/StartUps.

Proven track record in general management, change leadership, and operational excellence

Skilled in scaling organizations, driving M&A, and building high-performing leadership teams

Plato mentor (Voka) for business leaders, actively supporting leadership growth and peer learning

I enjoy spending time outdoors and embracing the unknown and adventure — something I often encounter as a backpack traveller and sailor. I’m always looking to discover something new or meet someone unexpected. I find peace in the garden, growing my own vegetables and grapes for wine, and I love turning that into good food to share. I also really value time with friends and family — it keeps me grounded, energised, and smiling.

I love building—whether it’s people, companies, structures, systems.... I’m driven by action and results, which means I learn by doing. Sometimes that includes falling and getting back up. What truly drives me is setting things in motion together with others, seeing them grow, and creating real, meaningful connections along the way.

Nelson Mandela is my hero because he showed that true leadership is about resilience, humility and lifting others up.
He inspired change not through power, but through vision, empathy and that people grow stonger together.

My motto? "Leadership starts with trust" - Trust starts with being trustworthy & daring to trust the other. Take the leap. Harness your intrapreneurial drive and launch your own company.

I like to mentor because it is what I am and what makes me happy. It started quite early as a youth leader in Chiro and it never really stopped once I entered the workplace. I genuinely enjoy sharing my experience so that others can grow. The interaction creates again opportunicty for me to learn as well.
Today, I am a VOKA Plato mentor and I started the group " Management" where I support about 15 young managers in their personal development.

As a mentor, I am Inspiring leadership at all levels: I don’t start from theory, but from real change implemented on the work fl oor. I understand what teams need in order to grow.I have experience across diverse settings: I worked in Start-ups/Large family-owned companies/Automotive multinationals. I understand the challenges my mentees face, regardless of their context or industry. As a result, I can off er insights that are immediately applicable. I focus on developing leadership culture: I have set up leadership development programs. I led the implementation of core values that were translated into concrete behaviours and actions. I help leaders better understand themselves and their role—and give them the tools to grow their teams in a sustainable way. And I driven by both strategy and humanity. I combine strategic thinking (vision, M&A, scalability) with a people-oriented approach: "Openness, involvement, and participation" are not slogans to me, but principles I structurally embed in organizations. I create trust and space for both personal and professional growth.

Looking back, I realize I’ve always been surrounded by great mentors throughout my career. Sometimes formally, often informally. I actively created those moments by seeking people outside of my company and comfort zone. But to truly learn from them, I had to learn to put my ego aside and allow myself to be vulnerable. That openness made all the difference.

I’m someone who enjoys a good laugh—also at myself. Being able to put things in perspective has always helped me move forward. It breaks tension, opens minds, and keeps things human. Leadership doesn’t have to be heavy to be meaningful.