Franz Philippson, son of Ludwig Philippson and husband of Mathilde Mayer, is a self-taught entrepreneur whose determination and keen business sense contributed to energizing the Belgian and international economy. At barely 20 years old, he founded Banque Philippson in 1871, imposing himself through his autonomy and his alignment of interests with his clients, investing himself in the operations he recommended.

A pioneer and visionary, in 1880 he created the Compagnie Générale de Chemins de Fer Secondaires (today CFE), active in Congo, Brazil, Argentina and Canada. Passionate about the metallurgical industry, he participated in the founding of the Société Métallurgique de Prayon and the Compagnie des Métaux et Produits Chimiques d’Overpelt. As early as 1888, he used the telephone to negotiate and arbitrate transactions, at a time when this technology was still little widespread. In 1886, he led the conversion of Brussels’ debt, contributing to the growth of the capital.

Before 1914, he seized the opportunities of globalization by placing Italian and Norwegian loans in Brussels and by financing Belgian debt in London and Hamburg. A keen connoisseur of Argentina, he placed several provincial loans there. In 1893, he bought back the shares of his limited partners and took sole direction of the bank, thus strengthening its independence and financial expertise. He also sat as director of the Cologne tramways in 1900 and founded the Banque du Congo belge in 1909.

Socially engaged, he invested in workers’ housing and contributed to the founding of the Société des Habitations à Bon Marché de l’Agglomération Bruxelloise. President of the JCA (Jewish Colonization Association) foundation, he was chosen in 1919 to lead the Central Israeli Consistory of Belgium, testifying to his civic spirit and his desire to serve the general interest. His career, marked by innovation, contribution to national prosperity and his solidarity, makes him a key figure in Belgian economic and social history.

Maurice Philippson, eldest son of Franz Philippson, embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and family social commitment. Curious and pragmatic, he obtained a doctorate in zoological sciences from the Université libre de Bruxelles and became a pioneer in animal reflexology, collaborating with Oxford University. He was also interested in radio broadcasting, another field of innovation of the time.

A volunteer engaged, commander in the Belgian army during the First World War, he ensured the training of soldiers on the front, then joined wireless telegraphy. He intercepted enemy communications there, which earned him numerous distinctions. He then contributed to the foundations of what would become the National Radio Institute (INR).

After the war, he gave up his academic career, following the death of his brother Jacques, and joined the Bank. He used his flair and combativeness there to support the development of innovative industries: air transport, aeronautical construction and wireless telegraphy. He also participated in projects in Africa (cotton, sugar, livestock) and led economic diplomacy missions. Very involved in social and community life, Maurice presided over the Union of former presidents of the ULB, was vice-president of the Société des Habitations à Bon Marché de l’Agglomération Bruxelloise and of the Œuvre nationale belge de défense contre la tuberculose. Succeeding his brother Jules, he became president of the Central Israeli Consistory (1935) and supported the creation of CAAVA (Committee for Aid and Assistance to Victims of Anti-Semitism).

Combining independence of mind, business acumen and innovation, Maurice Philippson fully embodies the family tradition, contributing to socio-economic progress and the defense of the general interest.

Jules Philippson, son of Franz Philippson and brother of Maurice, is part of a family tradition combining business acumen, spirit of innovation and community engagement. Licensed in economic sciences and holding a doctorate in law from ULB, he joined Banque Philippson in November 1904. He developed an exceptional flair for business there and took over the directorships his father held in various companies. His marriage in 1906 with Lydia Juliana Mocatta, from an influential British Sephardic family, strengthened the bank’s international ties.

During the First World War, he remained in Brussels to support his father and succeeded him in 1929. Despite the loss of his only son the same year, he remained combative and guided the institution through a period of economic upheaval.

In 1934-1935, Jules played a decisive role in the reform of the Belgian banking system: he obtained a particular status for private banks, allowing them to keep a portfolio of industrial securities and to transmit their balance sheets only to the Banking Commission. President of the « private bank » section of the Belgian Banking Association and member of the Superior Council of Finance from 1936, he left a lasting mark on Belgian finance.

A refugee in Great Britain in 1942, he acted as the sole administrator of the Banque du Congo belge present on site, protecting the establishment from governmental interference in exile. Back in Brussels in 1945, he immediately rejoined the direction of the Bank and continued his commitment. Active in the Central Israeli Consistory (1930-1934) and on the council of the Brussels Israeli Community, he perpetuated the family tradition of service and patronage.

Jules Philippson died on February 13, 1961, after 57 years of exemplary career. He leaves the imprint of a visionary entrepreneur, deeply attached to collective prosperity and social progress.

Paul Philippson, son of Maurice Philippson and Marguerite Wiener, continues the family values initiated by previous generations. Graduating in economic and financial sciences from the Université libre de Bruxelles in 1930, he honed his business sense and international openness during internships in London and New York.

After the death of his father in 1938, he became a partner of Banque Philippson and married Ann Mocatta, sharing with her a taste for adventure and innovation. During the Second World War, he distinguished himself during the 18-day campaign in Zeeland Flanders and took refuge in New York with his family before joining the Belgian forces in Great Britain. At the same time, he contributed to the Belgian Economic Commission for the study of post-war problems.

Demobilized in January 1947, he resumed his place as a partner of Banque Philippson, while multiplying the mandates of director of affiliated companies. He left the Bank in 1953, following divergences with the other partners, and joined Banque Lambert as an advisor. His correctness, his sense of innovation and his entrepreneurial spirit marked each stage of his career.

Paul Philippson presided over the Israeli community of Brussels (1945-1962), then the Central Israeli Consistory of Belgium (1962-1978), while being vice-president of the JCA (Jewish Colonization Association) and president of the AIVG (Association of Jewish Victims of the War). He also presided over the Belgian-Israeli Chamber of Commerce. Passionate about Africa, he made documentaries and ascended Mount Mikeno volcano in Congo.

Until his death in Brussels in 1978, Paul Philippson remained faithful to family ideals: national and international prosperity, social commitment and innovation in compliance with laws and the general interest. His legacy, both economic and social, remains a reference for those who value responsible entrepreneurship.

Born on August 4, 1939 in London, Alain Philippson is the son of Paul Philippson. He continues the family’s work in compliance with the values that characterize it.

After living between New York and London following his family’s exile in 1940, he returned to the country in 1946. A graduate in commercial engineering from the Solvay Business School (ULB), he began his career at the First National City Bank of New York, an experience that forged his autonomy and his sense of responsibility. His entrepreneurial spirit and his desire to reconnect with family history led him to join, in 1972, Banque Degroof as « principal authorized signatory », taking charge of the « financial operations » and « wealth management » departments. He was appointed managing partner in 1979, forming the management team with Everaert, Degroof and Goldschmidt. Visionary and combative, he knows how to anticipate market developments and seize growth opportunities, particularly in the rapidly expanding private banking sector.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Alain Philippson played a key role in the IPOs of numerous Belgian companies (Côte d’Or, Ackermans & van Haaren, etc.) and in the participation of Banque Degroof in several company privatizations (Belgacom, Distrigaz, GIMV…). He orchestrated several strategic acquisitions (Edmond Bascour, Riga & Cie,…) and created a banking subsidiary in Luxembourg in 1987, before extending the bank’s footprint in Switzerland, France and Spain. In 1998, with his limited partners Haegelsteen, Schockert and Siaens, and the support of the listed holding company Compagnie du Bois Sauvage, he structured the MBO which allowed the Degroof family to sell its stake.

This event marked the return of the Philippson family as shareholders of the Bank, of which he held the presidency between 2002 and 2018, leading to the merger with Petercam in 2015.

In 2006, alongside his wife, he created the Marie and Alain Philippson Foundation, dedicated to sustainable human development in sub-Saharan Africa. He also supports medical research with the Charcot Foundation of the Bordet Institute and education through the chair of sustainable development management at the Solvay Business School. Furthermore, he was chairman of the advisory board of the Solvay business school. Active in the Jewish community, he presided over CEJI (Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe) from 1993, became vice-president of the Foundation for Contemporary Memory (1994-2021) and was involved in the JCA (Jewish Colonization Association). His philanthropic action extends to the presidency of Vocacio and Nutrition Tiers Monde as well as to the boards of the Bernheim foundation and the Wiener-Anspach foundation. Ennobled baron in 2000 by King Albert II, his title was extended to his descendants in 2013.

Throughout his career, Alain accompanied leading Belgian families and businesses. He sat on the boards of listed companies such as D’Ieteren (1986-2015), CFE (1983-2009) and Tractebel.

Heir to the entrepreneurial spirit and a strong public commitment, Alain Philippson modernized and extended the influence of Banque Degroof, while remaining faithful to his philanthropic and civic vocation. His impact touches both the financial world and the cultural and social spheres.

Jacques-Martin, younger son of Alain and Marie Philippson, is a self-taught entrepreneur. In 1990, he founded Blue Squares, a company dedicated to logistics, technical services and executive production of concerts, festivals, artist tours and corporate events. Thanks to rapid growth and about ten acquisitions, the company established itself in France, Canada and the USA, becoming a leading international player. He collaborates with institutions, brands and renowned personalities, such as TF1, Aznavour, Kaas, Garou, Boulay, Roch Voisine, Dion, Fabian, VW, Audi, Bentley, Porsche, Toyota, AB InBev, McKinsey, AG, Fortis, Star Academy or the 1998 World Cup. Its development relies on technical innovation and a cohesive team. In 2010, Jacques-Martin sold the company and turned the page.

He then co-founded Guardiola Invest with Marc Van Doornick, a company aiming to acquire stakes and support the growth of SMEs in the traditional sector (Tartes de Françoise, Bon With Love, AED Group…). In 2011, he joined Banque Degroof as a non-executive director, where he sat on the audit, risk, remuneration and nomination committees, and quickly adapted to the banking culture and its regulated framework. At the same time, he began strategic reflection around wealth transmission and transgenerational responsibility, transforming Guardiola Invest into a diversified family holding company.

In 2012, he joined the board of the JCA foundation, representing the fifth family generation to be represented there. The following year, he initiated, for the Bank, the association with Christian Turgeon and the creation of the BDG-Appalaches investment funds. In 2015, he actively participated in the merger with Petercam and the governance of the new entity Degroof-Petercam. As a director of several companies, he supported their development, notably that of Easyvest, a Belgian “fintech” specializing in automated portfolio management and online savings.

In 2021, the family realized that it was difficult to assume its roles as shareholder and societal leader as a minority reference in a regulated bank. From 2022, Jacques-Martin played a key role in the sale of Degroof Petercam, finalized in June 2024 to Indosuez (Crédit Agricole). For the family, a page turns, offering them the unique opportunity to write a new chapter in its history.

Associated with his 2 sisters, Françoise and Catherine, Jacques-Martin is deploying a strategy faithful to the family DNA, transforming existing structures into an investment holding company with a strong entrepreneurial base: PIC1871.