Joost Maes

Joost Maes holds a law degree from the KU Leuven and a Master’s of Law from the University of Virginia in the United States. After 6 years at the law firm De Bandt van Hecke & Lagae (now Linklaters) in both Brussels and New York, where he focused mainly on mergers and acquisitions, he joined Egon Zehnder, one of the leading executive search and leadership advisory firms. As such, Joost has spent most of his professional career helping companies identify and attract top talent for key positions, as well as assessing and developing executives. He also developed a particular interest in family businesses and how to successfully support them in the transition to a new generation or to external management. At Egon Zehnder, he also held various leadership positions, including Managing Partner of the Brussels office and Chairman of the firm's global shareholders' meeting.

Joost retired from Egon Zehnder in October 2022 and continues to advise family businesses. He is also a certified mediator and a member of the investment committee of a private equity fund. He is a board member of the orchestra Anima Eterna and a member of the advisory board of Transparency International Belgium.