Early Life
Jan Van Geet was born in Dendermonde, Belgium, in 1971. His early career began with a position at the diaper manufacturer, Ontex.
Rise to Success
In 2000, Van Geet launched VGP, a company focused on real estate development, specializing in semi-industrial properties. VGP acquires land, constructs buildings, and manages rental income. The company's initial focus was in the Czech Republic, expanding later into Germany and other European countries. VGP went public on the Brussels Stock Exchange in 2007. The company has partnered with Allianz Real Estate on joint ventures, increasing the value of its portfolio. In 2020, Van Geet launched the VGP Foundation, investing 2% of VGP's annual profits in social and cultural interests.
Key Business Strategies
VGP's strategy centers on developing industrial parks in prime locations. The company focuses on long-term value creation by retaining ownership of completed buildings. A significant part of VGP's success is linked to its joint ventures, like the one with Allianz Real Estate, enabling expansion. In 2014, VGP sold 58 Czech logistics properties to strengthen its presence in the German market.
Philanthropy
Jan Van Geet is involved in philanthropy through the VGP Foundation, which invests in areas of social and cultural interest. The foundation aims to invest 2% of VGP's annual profits in several areas, which include investments in child poverty, threatened biotopes and European cultural heritage.