Annual Report 2022

Despite the turbulence of our post-pandemic world, I remain very hopeful about the future. My optimistic outlook allows me to see every obstacle as an opportunity for positive change. At Cegeka, we believe technological innovation is the absolute key to driving that change forward. Take the rapid pace of Artificial Intelligent development: it is an awe-inspiring example of how innovation can revolutionize the way we live, work and solve complex problems in new ways. At Cegeka, we are committed to leveraging technology to do exactly that: to drive change, to create impact, and yes, to make the world a more sustainable and equitable place to live in. 

I am delighted to report that our group has enjoyed a year of great success, thanks in large part to the contributions of each of our member countries. I want to take a moment to recognize two countries in particular. The Netherlands has been a crucial part of our organization, serving as a second home base for us. With Annelore Buijs taking the helm as Managing Director in January 2023, I have no doubt that our Dutch counterpart will thrive under her capable leadership. Meanwhile, in Sweden, we are excited to have Soazig Hamon as Managing Director. Her vision and expertise will be invaluable as we work to expand our presence in this market. 

Making waves with the Trinity of Innovation

In 2020, I introduced the concept of the ‘Trinity of Innovation.’ I did so to highlight the powerful synergy that can be realized by combining Artificial Intelligence, 5G and cloud computing. Given their enormous potential, these technologies combined will fundamentally revolutionize our way of working. When the Trinity is in full force, we will witness productivity and operational efficiency gains we have not seen in decades. 

That AI and 5G would be the focus of attention today, was something we anticipated. Our acquisition of nationwide 5G spectrum in 2022 put us squarely on the map as an unstoppable force in the b2b and b2c telco operator market. As for AI: today we have an international team of some 300 data and AI experts working in diverse fields, from data analytics to advanced Machine Learning. AI is here to stay it will become the unmissable copilot in our lives. 

“Our main priority isn’t just growth, it is resilient growth. That means a laserlike focus on sustainability, adaptability, long-term vision and last but not least: customer relevance.” 

We do this ‘in close cooperation’, the personal credo of our founder André Knaepen and a reflection of how we work. ‘In close cooperation’ has always been centered on building lasting relationships based on trust and transparency. Our ‘easy-to-talk to’ reputation and ‘contact-over-contract’ mindset make us stand out from the crowd, especially as we expand into new territory. We are committed to maintaining these values, as they represent a promise to our customers: we’re in this together.

In conclusion, we understand that our success is not just measured by financial growth, but by our ability to create sustainable and meaningful impact for our customers, employees, and society. We take sustainability seriously, and our commitment to our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals is a top priority. I am more than pleased with the sure and steady progress we are making on all fronts in all our locations.

As the saying goes, people are at the heart of IT, and I wholeheartedly agree. I am incredibly proud of team Cegeka: today more than 6,000 people! They are the backbone of our success, and I thank them for their dedication, loyalty and hard work. I also extend my gratitude to our customers for their ongoing trust in our craftmanship and collaboration, and to our shareholders, investors and business partners for their support of our future vision.