Former CEO of Charleroi Airport, Jean-Jacques Cloquet, Joins Les Engagés Political Party

Former CEO of Charleroi Airport, Jean-Jacques Cloquet, Joins Les Engagés Political Party

Cloquet’s Leap into Politics

Jean-Jacques Cloquet, the former CEO of Charleroi Airport and the 2018 Manager of the Year, has confirmed his decision to transition into the political sphere by joining the party, Les Engagés. At the age of 63, Cloquet had been contemplating this move for some weeks. Although he attracted interest from the Mouvement Réformateur (MR), Cloquet decided to align himself with Les Engagés. The party’s focus on environmental, societal, and energy transitions resonated with his beliefs and values.

Les Engagés: A Party of Transitions

The decision to join Les Engagés was not made lightly. Cloquet had previously voiced his preference to remain out of politics. However, the inclusive and citizen-focused approach of Les Engagés won him over. The party’s vision of a more sustainable and equitable society aligns with Cloquet’s own view of how Belgium’s future should be shaped.

During his decision-making process, he met with Jean-Luc Crucke and Maxime Prévot who explained the unifying project of Les Engagés. This project, which seeks to foster unity and progress through sustainable transitions, eventually convinced Cloquet to participate in the political space. His final decision was made following a meeting with Maxime Prévot on a Saturday.

Charleroi Airport: A Proven Track Record

Prior to his transition into politics, Jean-Jacques Cloquet was the CEO of Charleroi Airport, one of Belgium’s busiest airports. Charleroi Airport served over 8 million passengers in 2019, making it the second busiest in Belgium in terms of passengers and aircraft movements. It is also a busy general aviation airfield, being home to three flight schools. The airport is located in Gosselies, a part of the city of Charleroi, Belgium.

Under Cloquet’s leadership, the airport experienced consistent growth. In fact, Charleroi Airport’s CEO, Philippe Verdonck, aims to handle 10 million passengers per annum by 2025. Cloquet’s proven track record in management lends credibility to his move into politics and his new role within Les Engagés.

Implications for Les Engagés and Belgian Politics

The addition of Jean-Jacques Cloquet to Les Engagés brings a new element of expertise and leadership to the party. His experience in managing one of Belgium’s busiest airports and his commitment to environmental, societal, and energy transitions aligns well with the party’s vision. This move is likely to strengthen the party’s stance on these issues and enhance its ability to drive meaningful change in Belgian society.

In conclusion, Jean-Jacques Cloquet’s move into politics marks a significant chapter in his career. His decision to join Les Engagés was driven by the party’s focus on key transitions concerning the environment, society, and energy. Cloquet’s experience and leadership will undoubtedly contribute to the party’s efforts to drive meaningful change in Belgian politics and society.