Background & Experience
Marc is a speaker, author and coach on innovation, design thinking and digital transformation. Having spent the last 20 years taking up entrepreneurship challenges in China, Europe and the Middle East, His mission is to demystify digital innovation and to empower clients with the tools, insights, and skills to thrive in the fourth industrial revolution.
Background and Industry Experience:
At only 19 years of age Marc founded one of Belgium’s first e-commerce shops for Apple products. Aged 26, Marc set out to China where he founded and later successfully exited a second venture. Marc co-founded Botsmith, an innovation lab where a team of polymaths and developers build experimental, next-generation software tools using AI, AR/VR and Cloud.
As a speaker, Marc has addressed live and virtual audiences on four continents for companies and governmental organisations like Bombardier, Adobe, Dubai Association Conference, ICCA, Meet in Flanders, UIA, Amadeus and many more. Corporations like PwC, TAQA, Dolphin Energy and Noah Holdings have benefited from Marc’s innovation and design thinking training.
Education, Publications and Professional Affiliations:
Marc is a contributing author for Boardroom Magazine, Arabian Business and Association Meetings International on innovation and futurism. He is a member of the VR/AR association (VRARA) dedicated to the development and innovation in virtual/augmented reality and early metaverse applications.
Marc is a MIT Sloan School of Management certified Design Thinking expert.
Watch: Marc in Action
Keynote at Dubai Expo 2022. Short Clip. Topic: Design Thinking and Innovation (full keynote here): https://youtu.be/-7AeNT4z6VQ
Multi-cohort training in Abu Dhabi for TAQA. Short Clip. Topic: The Hype Cycle (Digital Transformation): https://youtu.be/Srnyq5Le61U
| Watch Marc’s keynote presentation on AI in Seville here: https://youtu.be/hU__QCmdkuk?si=jOnMY7FAfwmWTj8w” |
Listen to Marc’s Podcast about Innovation , interview from SCT’s Ian Gibbs
https://open.spotify.com/show/7DHnKutoRi6ixnJvylHcoA
Client history: McKinsey | Bain & Co | price Waterhouse Coopers | Bath and NE Somerset Council | The Dorchester Collection; • Amadeus • Bombardier • Adobe • Visit Flanders• ICCA• Barcelona Tourism Authority • Shanghai Innovation Summit • Dubai Association Conference • Leoron Institute • Tourism Innovation Summit • Eventex • Jacobs Media Group • SP Jain School of Global Management • Spanish Tourism Bureau • Boardroom Magazine • Union of International Associations Kuwait Petroleum Boardroom Magazine contributor ;Arabian Business contributor AMI magazine contributor
INTELAK hub startup mentor (Dubai);
Approach & Benefits
Facilitation Approach
A gifted storyteller with an aptitude for explaining complex concepts in simple terms, his sessions expertly thread the fine line between immersive knowledge delivery and lighthearted, relatable engagement. Marc demystifies technology and cuts through the hype; leaving audiences with exactly the knowledge and insight they need.
Coaching Approach
He focuses on transformational coaching, guiding high-potentials and seasoned executives alike to new levels of self-awareness, pragmatism and knowledge. An active listener, Marc is adept at picking up on and addressing self-limiting beliefs. His greatest strength is to help individuals unlock pent-up creativity and strengthen their capacity for innovation.
Selected Testimonials
“Marc, both an inspiring communicator and empathetic guy, is a great partner to have when you’re not sure which direction to go to. His out-of-the-box thinking and awesome tech skills has allowed Boardroom to explore new ways to reach its audience and to create new services. “Remi Deve Boardroom Magazine
Marc is a talented entrepreneur and founder. I have invited Marc to be the speaker in our selected customer events and his performance rating positions him as a natural stage walker”. Patricia Simillon (former) Marketing Director, Amadeus
“Really enjoyed your piece for the next edition of AMI on the symbiotic relationship between online and in-person. Very well written.” James Lancaster Editor in Chief AMI Magazine
“It was great to have Marc on board to deliver a two day digital transformation and emerging technology course in Abu Dhabi. The course was very well received, informative, engaging and very well prepared. would definitely recommend Marc to any business looking for an experienced innovation and digital transformation coach” Solidus Management Consulting.
Recent Assignments
- Innovation leadership coaching for senior executives at a world leading manufacturer of business jets
- Training and coaching ‘high-potential’ cohorts at a top Middle Eastern energy company
- Innovation coaching for a leading global mining company
- Keynote and innovation workshop at Dubai Expo’s Association Conference