Davy De Vlieger (Spuntini) nominated for the Personality of the Year award

The Personality of the Year (POTY) award recognizes leaders who serve as role models for other industry players. This year, in the "Foodservice Wholesalers" category, Davy De Vlieger stands out for his proactive strategic approach, which is transforming an already flourishing family business.

© GONDOLA FOODSERVICE

Leadership, strategic vision, and the ability to create value in a strained market environment: the Personality of the Year (POTY) award recognizes leaders who serve as role models for other industry players. This year, in the "Wholesalers Foodservice" category, three profiles stand out.

Among the nominees for the 2025-2026 edition is Davy De Vlieger. Called upon to take the helm as CEO of Spuntini a year ago by the Van Bever family, he is also the company’s first CEO who does not come from the family ranks, which speaks volumes about the trust placed in his managerial abilities.

Davy began his career in the late 90s in what is customarily described as the best school for learning the secrets of the FMCG market: armed with a degree in Germanic languages, he became a sales representative at Procter & Gamble.

It was an effective stepping stone that would later lead him to direct the Belgian branch of Omega Pharma alongside Marc Coucke, and to head GBFoods, the Belgian subsidiary of the multinational Continental Foods (distributor of Devos-Lemmens, Royco, and Liebig).

By taking the lead of a foodservice player like Spuntini last year, Davy De Vlieger was not stepping into uncharted territory, as he had previously led Beltaste, the Belgian leader in snack supplies for friteries (fry shops).

Davy wasted no time in implementing a strategic plan at Spuntini that transformed the company's inner workings: a new centralized commercial organization, digitalization, optimized warehouse management, and the harmonization of human resources conditions.

Everything is changing, except for one constant: the ambition to drive the company toward a dynamic of success. Growth is well underway, with the acquisition of Biebuyck (frozen foods) and Bella Sicilia (Italian products), and the best is probably yet to come because, as always, Davy De Vlieger isn't just here for the ride!