Delen Private Bank creates home feeling for its customers
Transforming 10 historic mansions into a comfortable, coherent head office, while respecting the original soul of the buildings? A feat in which Delen Private Bank succeeded perfectly. The head office in the Jan Van Rijswijcklaan in Antwerp has become a true gem. During the renovation, Delen Private Bank paid a lot of attention to sustainability, which is also reflected in the integration of several AQUALEX drinking water systems.
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The roots of Delen Private Bank date back to 1936, when André Delen established a foreign exchange agency in Antwerp. Later, a new service was added: the management of customers' investment portfolios. Even 85 years later, the Delen family is still active in the business, with Jacques Delen serving as chairman, son Alexandre as a member of the executive committee and daughter Anne-Sophie as head of marketing. Together with her mother Marie-Alix, she is also responsible for the interior decoration of the branches.
This emphasis on interior decoration perfectly complements the company's philosophy. Anne-Sophie Delen explains: "Over the past 30 years, Delen Private Bank has evolved from an investment specialist pur sang to a family asset advisor. We manage portfolios of assets accumulated over the years with a focus on the future of our customers. Therefore, we want to get to know them and their families as much as possible. This is best achieved in a homely atmosphere."
Close to the customer
Even if Delen Private Bank, with some 500 employees in Belgium, is a very large SME, it is and remains a family business. "We attach great importance to this proximity to our clients and continue to grow our office network, which goes against the trend in our industry. We currently run 14 offices in Belgium, and are also active in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland and the UK. In the context of customer service and efficiency, we are also focusing heavily on digitalisation, not with the intention of replacing personal contact, but as a means of being more transparent in portfolio communication, for example."
As the number of offices grew, so did the number of employees. "The head office on the Jan Van Rijswijcklaan in Antwerp was gradually becoming too small. So, it was time to convert the mansions, from number 174 to 192," says Evert Saladin. As logistics facility manager, he helps follow up Delen Private Bank's renovation and new construction projects. "The renovation started in 2018 and lasted 3 years. So, this project is both extensive and challenging, but it fits completely within our commitment to value and protect Belgium's heritage."
The end result is a stylish whole that is used for various purposes: from customer meetings in the meeting rooms to events in the orangery. "Our customers appreciate the result and our employees are also satisfied. We have always attached importance to creating a pleasant working environment," says Anne-Sophie Delen.
Sustainable entrepreneurship
Sustainable entrepreneurship is a top priority for Delen Private Bank. For example, the company has a sustainability council where board members and people from all branches of the bank prepare the strategy of Responsible Asset Management. Sustainability was also a key word in the renovation works: the new offices are equipped with optimal insulation, super-insulating glazing, solar panels, charging stations for electric cars, ventilation systems with CO2 sensors, a smart lighting system and energy-efficient IT installations.
With this in mind, Delen Private Bank opted for a tap water drinking system. "To reduce our waste, we wanted to get rid of the use of PET bottles and glass bottles, which were burdensome in terms of waste and transport," explains Evert. "We had several taps with still and sparkling water installed, in the company canteen and also in all the kitchenettes, from which the meeting rooms are served. From now on, we will equip all new offices with AQUALEX systems; in the existing buildings we will implement them gradually. Because such a tap water system is also a lot more efficient logistically than bottled water". "And the personalised Delen Private Bank bottles complete the brand experience," Anne-Sophie Delen concludes.
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