HR : The big Ceusters family

The big Ceusters family

A family business often bears the name of the family that heads up the business. CEUSTERS is no exception. Of course there are many other staff members with different surnames, and together they form a big family that work hard every day, to make customers happy. Here are testimonials from four of our staff members.

'You have to get on the road. That's where the money is.'

Frederik and Sofie Mortelmans, commercial manager and retail consultant

Frederik Mortelmans, a lawyer, already had a career behind him when he joined Shopping Center Management Services, one of the companies in the merger that was the genesis of Ceusters nv, thirteen years ago. ‘I built up a huge amount of experience in retail, especially in the Far East, including for Benninkmeijers, the family behind C&A.’ ‘When I turned fifty, it was time to do something di„erent and I was o„ered the position of sales manager here. I’m primarily involved in management, and act as an estate agent in a secondary role. I don’t really have any training for that, but my experience in retail stands me in good stead. I know how retailers think, I can put myself in their shoes.’ ‘I have the space to define my own role. If you like, I‘m the oil in the wheels for clients,

colleagues, tenants, etc. I try to bring the right people together, especially when opportunities arise. A family business was a new departure for me. A striking di„erence from large corporations is the short lines of communication. It’s really easy to talk. The whole company can immediately see when you do something well - and also when you do something wrong.

The transition to real estate seems to run in his family. Following five years’ experience as a product manager for a major retailer, his daughter Sofie also made the move to real estate eighteen months ago. ‘I started out in residential property as a sideline, but then my father drew my attention to the vacancy for a retail consultant in the region covering West and East Flanders

and Pajottenland, where I live,’ Sofie says. Her operating base is Ghent, her father’s is Antwerp. ‘We don’t bump into each other very often,’ Sofie laughs. Moreover, my father always taught me that you don’t earn any money sitting behind a desk. You have to get on the road. That’s where the money is.’ ‘We generally chat about work at home, even if we don’t organise any meetings at home,’ the father and daughter laugh. ‘Only e-mails are a bit odd; I never know whether to address them to ‘Dad’ or ‘Frederik’. I’ve never had any preferential treatment as ‘Frederik’s daughter’. I applied for the job just as anyone else would. This is not a company for daddy’s boys. On the contrary: in this company you have to be able to work independently, carry out your plan, find your own way and define your role for yourself.’

Raphaël Veratti, junior property consultant

Raphaël Veratti has one foot still in education, and the other in the world of work. ‘I‘m due to complete my bachelor’s degree in January, then I can really get my teeth into the role of property consultant. I came here last year during an internship for my course in real estate management. I’m a bit older than most students. I’ve been living on my own since I started studying and I’m funding my studies myself. I’ve always had a job and that’s why I’ve been a student for a bit longer than usual.’ ‘My experience in the hotel and catering industry and in retail means I can draw on commercial skills and I’m careful to maintain a professional appearance. Maybe that’s why everything just clicked from day one at CEUSTERS. I’m also being given more and more challenging tasks and it’s up to me to deliver the results. I have the feeling that I’m learning something from everyone.’ ‘The atmosphere at CEUSTERS is professional yet sociable. Even when there’s tension in the air, we still manage to have a laugh. You do have to be able to take a few knocks here. The property world is still something of a macho world where you mustn’t take o„ence too quickly. You have to stay professional.’

‘Always stay professional’

Charlotte Druyts, receptionist

Charlotte Druyts joined CEUSTERS eight years ago after a divorce and a mass redundancy. ‘I started as an administrative assistant in the management departments, so lots of figures. Four years ago, the management asked me whether I would like to man the reception desk and I jumped at the opportunity. It’s in my nature to be welcoming to people, I know my languages and I’m outgoing. Ms Ceusters says I’m always in a good mood. I like to have a chat and I don’t care whether it’s with the dustman or a notary.’ ‘I spend a large part of my time answering phone calls and putting them through to the right person. I think it’s important to help people and I also follow up on it. If someone’s called, I’ll remember. If a colleague doesn’t call back, I talk to them about it. I don’t think that is very business-like either. Every potential client deserves a response within a reasonable time. I hear a lot of things from the widest variety of clients, so I have my finger on the pulse of the company. I have a broad knowledge of what’s going on and I know almost everyone, so many of my colleagues approach me to find out who this or that person is.’

‘It's my nature to be welcoming to people’