Arthur Lhoist now steers 4WINGS, the philanthropic engine of the food transition

After celebrating its tenth anniversary last December, the family foundation is formalizing a strategic transition: Arthur Lhoist succeeds Christophe Querton as president. This handover reflects 4WINGS' commitment to exploring new avenues to address the challenges of food insecurity in Belgium.

© GONDOLA FOODSERVICE

This is a pivotal moment for this player in Belgian philanthropy. Born in 2015 from the common desire of 31 members of the same family to promote an inclusive and supportive society, the 4WINGS Foundation is opening a new chapter in its governance: called to new responsibilities at Monizze, Christophe Querton is handing over the chairmanship of the board of directors to his cousin, Arthur Lhoist, impact director of the Tero group, a Belgian reference in hospitality .

"His long-standing commitment to sustainable food, his experience at the crossroads of the entrepreneurial, philanthropic and societal worlds, as well as his keen understanding of the issues related to food accessibility, agricultural sectors and food policies make him a particularly legitimate president to support the foundation in its next stages," said the foundation's operational team led by CEO Amandine Englebert.

The civic organization, whose mission is to empower social innovation, highlighted the crucial role of the outgoing president, who led the board for six years and guided the organization not only in its development but, above all, in ensuring the lasting impact of its projects. In 2024, 4WINGS had committed €4.7 million to food-related projects.

Arthur Lhoist himself praised his cousin's "vision and consistency." This transition is therefore seen less as a break than as a natural evolution for a foundation that has just reached a new stage of maturity. For the past ten years, 4WINGS has adopted a "venture philanthropy" approach: its actions are not limited to funding but include tailored support to structurally strengthen the organizations it supports. The foundation acts as an ecosystem catalyst, bringing together non-profit, private, and academic stakeholders to foster synergies. The foundation takes on a proactive co-creator role, readily incubating new projects or adopting foreign models to address unmet needs in the food transition.

To illustrate this strategy, consider the example of the incubated project École à Table (EAT), which aims to generalize quality school meals accessible to all in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, with a pilot model planned in 100 locations by 2029. Or the new CABAS project, a cooperative bringing together producers and citizens to democratize access to local products, while supplying social welfare organizations through shared logistics. Or the Ferme du Chaudron, inaugurated in October 2024 in Neerpede, which is the first Food House in Brussels: a third place bringing together associations around food sovereignty, combining market gardening, aid for the homeless, and community kitchens.

“For over ten years now, the foundation has been committed to issues that are deeply important to me,” said Arthur Lhoist, citing food accessibility, the evolution of practices in school canteens, support for agricultural production and distribution sectors, and, more broadly, “the transition to more sustainable, fair, and resilient food systems.” He concluded by acknowledging that “the timing seems particularly right for me to resume the presidency and contribute, collectively, to writing the next chapters of this wonderful adventure.”

With this renewal of leadership, fueled by strategic thinking aimed at redefining the foundation's role by 2030, 4WINGS confirms its ambition to remain a driving force for social innovation in Belgium for years to come. "We have these few years to co-create this desirable future that inspires us to mobilize collectively," to use the CEO's words.