Flemish government pushes VRT CEO Paul Lembrechts aside; Leo Hellemans becomes interim CEO - Leo Hellemans becomes interim CEO of the VRT. That was announced during a press conference at the VRT. This morning the news was announced that Paul Lembrechts, the CEO of the VRT, will be fired. The reason for that dismissal is a conflict at the top of the public broadcaster. There should be a new managing director before the summer. In the meantime Hellemans wants to prepare the new management agreement as well as possible for the next managing director.

The decision to dismiss Paul Lembrechts follows a few weeks of conflict at the top of the public broadcaster. Lembrechts asked the resignation of his number two, Peter Claes. The rest of the management - Lieven Vermaele (Finance and operations), Liesbet Vrieleman (Information), Stijn Lehaen (Technology and Information) and Hans Cockx (HR) - also supported Lembrechts' demand at the end of December. But the board of directors, led by Luc Van den Brande, refused to dismiss Claes. Claes was put on non-active. Another mediator was appointed, but he was unable to resolve the conflict.

During a press conference at the VRT, it was announced that former managing director Leo Hellemans will be appointed as interim CEO. Paul Lembrechts "failed to restore confidence and no longer had the credibility to lead the public broadcaster," said Minister Dalle.

Flemish government pushes VRT CEO Paul Lembrechts

"Leo Hellemans knows the house, he knows the people involved and is very respected," said Flemish Minister of Media Benjamin Dalle (CD&V). "He is the right person to restore peace to Reyerslaan." The procedure for the appointment of a new managing director is started as soon as possible. There should be a CEO before the summer. "A new management agreement must be concluded in 2020, the intention is that the new managing director is still involved in those negotiations," said Minister Dalle.

Hellemans has many years of experience with public broadcasting. Among other things, he was editor-in-chief of the news service, general manager of Production, general manager of Media and managing director from 2014 until his retirement in 2016. Now, a cooling-off period will follow where confidence within the management must be restored and continuity must be guaranteed, sounds it.

Lembrechts was appointed as the new CEO in 2016, he succeeded Leo Hellemans, who retired. Lembrechts, trained as a veterinarian, had experience in business and in the financial sector. He was believed by the Flemish government when he was appointed for his experience as a manager and "his capacity to work in a difficult context".

Dalle: "Position Peter Claes will be viewed in the near future"

Peter Claes started his career at VRT as a marketing employee and marketing manager. In 2013 he became media director and two years later he became the media and production director of VRT. In 2016 Claes was a candidate to succeed Leo Hellemans as CEO. So that position eventually went to Paul Lembrechts.

"The position of Peter Claes will be reviewed in the coming period," said Minister Dalle during the press conference. In the meantime, he remains inactive. Dalle is grateful that Hellemans wanted to become an interim CEO.

Hellemans: "Sit here with mixed feelings, but reasoned from my heart"

"I have mixed feelings here", Hellemans responds to his appointment as interim CEO. "I think Paul (Lembrechts, ed.) And Peter (Claes, ed.) Are two very valued people with a big heart and a big commitment to the VRT. I therefore find it a great pity that the mediation attempt was unsuccessful. I have reasoning from my heart, that has remained true for the VRT and the importance of the VRT, as the minister says. (...) I am not a crisis manager, because the VRT is not in crisis. The VRT does not need a crisis manager. "

Hellemans emphasizes that only the problem at the top of the VRT had to be solved. "Regarding the composition of the executive board: in the coming weeks it will be decided which composition I will nominate to the new board of directors. Rest must return to the top of the VRT as quickly as possible."

Leo Hellemans, interim CEO

Hellemans wants to prepare the new management agreement as well as possible for the next managing director. "The new management agreement will undoubtedly look different from the current one that I have negotiated and signed with. The current media landscape and behavior is completely different. A strong public service broadcaster in a strong media landscape should be the objective of the new management agreement."

Everyone VRT: "Lembrechts dismissal unacceptable"

According to ACV, the fact that Paul Lembrechts is being pushed aside at the VRT is "a regrettable matter". "From the very beginning, he insisted on correct financing," says Carlos Van Hoeymissen of the Christian trade union to Belga. "He therefore had the sympathy of the staff." While Lembrechts managed to shave off the sharp edges of a social plan, Van Hoeymissen now fears a blunt ax. "If savings have to be made, we want it to be as social as possible."

The personnel front of the VRT "Everyone VRT", together with the trade unions ACOD, ACV and VSOA, "strongly" rejects the dismissal of Lembrechts. "He has unequivocally committed himself to protecting the future of the VRT against the massive savings that the Flemish government wants to impose on us. The reaction of the Flemish government is to dismiss him. That is unacceptable to us," he says. Now on Thursday, with hearings in the Flemish Parliament, negotiations are starting for a new management agreement. "Right now the government is deciding to behead the VRT. That is unacceptable to us."

According to Media Minister Benjamin Dalle, the dismissal of Lembrechts has nothing to do with his criticism of the savings imposed by the Flemish government. "It is normal for Lembrechts to stand up as CEO for his organization. That is not the point. This is about a crisis of confidence in the executive board."

Anyway, VRT asks everyone, whoever will be the new VRT CEO, "she or he is unequivocally committed to the devastating savings that the Flemish government continues to push through". The three trade unions have meanwhile extended their strike notice until the end of June.
Strike

Around 2 p.m. some of the VRT staff organized a so-called walk-out in which a group of staff gathered under the VRT tower.

Next Monday, the unions want to put down work 24 hours a day. It is not the intention that nothing be heard, seen or viewed on the website, the radio or the television for a day.

Before the launch of "Terzake" on Canvas tonight, the unions also sent a message. "Today the Flemish government dismissed the CEO of the VRT," he started. "This is the umpteenth decision over the employees' heads. The VRT staff is not taking this. We are demanding a management to defend the public broadcaster against the rage of saving. We will continue to oppose any attempt to weaken the public broadcaster. " The message came from ACOD-VRT, ACV-VRT and VSOA-VRT.