Business angel: Pierre Rion and digital Wallonia

Pierre Rion, 56, is a well-known name in Wallonia’s business world. Born in Charleroi and holder of a master’s degree in electronic and computer engineering from the University of Liège, he has hopped from opportunity to opportunity to end up on the board of directors of some 15 companies based in Wallonia. As a reputable business angel, his engagement in helping SMEs to grow has played a major role in boosting the local economy. This year he has been recognised by the regional government with the distinction of Officier du Mérite Wallon. At the same time, the government has made use of Rion’s expertise in the digital economy by appointing him to preside over the regional governmental advisory committee for digital development.

Where did you start out?

I started working in 1973 at the early age of 14, to pay my way through university. Fresh out of university, it was during my military service, which at the time was still compulsory, with the Gendarmerie that I created my first company, Dedrion, which specialised in PCs and PC networks. The company did well, winning contracts with Japanese banks and the likes of IBM. After selling Dedrion I joined the Flemish company Prodata, which specialised in electronic point-of-sale systems and ticketing and it was here that I saw my first opportunity to grow a company through a merger.

IRIS, known only at the time for optical character recognition, was experiencing financial difficulties, and on my recommendation merged with one of Prodata’s divisions. The merger was a success and Prodata appointed me as CEO. Shortly after, I joined forces with Pierre De Meulenaere, one of the co-founders of IRIS, to carry out a management buyout, buying IRIS from Prodata and creating what is known today as the IRIS Group. After expanding the company’s remit and turning it around financially, we were ready to put it on the stock market in 1999. I left the IRIS Group in 2001 but remained on its board of directors for the following 10 years. As I gradually divested my shares, I prepared to spread my wings as a business angel.

You have a wide portfolio as a Business Angel. What drives this variety?

I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to be involved in some of Wallonia’s high-profile business developments that have flourished into successful enterprises. That’s why I feel the need to go out and help other entrepreneurs both as an investor and as a consultant. One of my greatest drivers is my energy, alongside my thirst for diversity. It’s therefore no mystery that you see my name on the board of directors or as a shareholder of such a broad spectrum of businesses: Pairi Daiza, Banque CPH, PR consultants akkanto, Belrobotics, to name but a few.

My core interest in electronics is also very prominent in the businesses I am or have been involved in, notably DCinex, the European leader in digital equipment for movie theatres, EVS Broadcast Equipment and IDDI, specialists in data for clinical trials. My most recent appointment as an external mandate is with the SA IPM Group, owners of the French-language newspapers La Libre and La Dernière Heure.

I am also driven by my passion for flying: as a trained pilot, being involved in the business of business travel is important to me. As a result, I have founded an aviation company that flies Wallonia’s SME owners all over Europe. And my scope stretches to the export business: I am the vice president of the Agence de Commerce Extérieur, whose mission is to oversee all of Belgium’s foreign trade operations.

What are your ambitions for Wallonia’s digital future?

The regional government has pledged to invest in giving the region and the economy a digital makeover. After numerous discussions with key actors and consultants in the field, we’ve put forward 50 recommendations aimed at transforming the region’s infrastructure in terms of intelligence and connectivity. The recommendations are based on making digital expertise available to companies to increase their digital intensity and accelerate growth, making them more competitive and using digital innovation as a driver for better standards in education, greater efficiency in public services and enhanced well-being of citizens. I intend to create a dialogue with the government to ensure that the majority of these recommendations are put into practice.

What do you do in your spare time?

Apart from enjoying time with my family, one of my greatest passions is winemaking. Back in 1993, I co-founded the Domaine de Mellemont, one of Wallonia’s major vineyards. I am keen to bring back wine growing in Wallonia and to promote the many wines we can already boast in the region. I was recently elected president of Wallonia’s association of wine growers and plan to use my contacts and influence in seeing that regional wines are served during regional and federal cabinet meetings and at official events.

What are the main ingredients of your success?

I believe in making the most of each day, which for me means early to bed and early to rise. Thanks to my Catholic upbringing, I’ve always adhered to a certain sense of duty and – maybe my not-so-Catholic side – I rarely take no for an answer.

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This article was first published in the Wab magazine, winter 2015/2016