Hans Verstraete becomes new community president of Belgian Red Cross-Flanders

Hans Verstraete was elected by the Community Council, the general assembly of Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, as the new Community President of Belgian Red Cross-Flanders. In this capacity, he succeeds Dr. Laurette Steenssens who held the position since 2021. As Community President, he will represent the interests of Belgian Red Cross-Flanders at the national and international level.

Largest volunteer organization in Flanders

Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is the largest volunteer organization in Flanders, with some 12,500 volunteers. It is thanks to their selfless commitment that the organization can develop activities year after year in many areas, helping the most vulnerable and society in general. Belgian Red Cross-Flanders thrives on the commitment of its volunteers, to the extent that even the community president is a volunteer, someone who knows the organization inside and out, knows what the objectives are and wants to represent everyone's interests.

Hans has held numerous senior positions in business (until 2021 general manager of insurance at KBC) and he has been Community Vice President of Belgian Red Cross-Flanders. As such, the organization holds no secrets for him. The Community Council approved his appointment and is convinced that Hans has the necessary experience and insights to make Belgian Red Cross-Flanders future-proof and stronger. "I have come to know Belgian Red Cross-Flanders as a powerful organization with motivated volunteers and strong values. Getting Belgian Red Cross-Flanders ready for the new challenges in this rapidly changing world will be a major focus ", says Hans Verstraete.

"I would like to thank Laurette personally and on behalf of the entire organization for her years of unbridled dedication and the great heart she has for Belgian Red Cross-Flanders . She leaves behind a strong organization on which I will be able to build together with the executive team and all sections," Verstraete continued. 

On January 1, Hans Verstraete will also become national president of Red Cross Belgium, a position subject to a biennial rotation between the Dutch-speaking and French-speaking sister organizations. In the latter capacity, Hans Verstraete succeeds Frédéric Wirtz.