La Lorraine Bakery Group receives first Family Business Impact Award, powered by KPMG

Brussels, 25 November 2025 – During the celebration of the 20th anniversary of FBN Belgium, the very first Family Business Impact Award, powered by KPMG in Belgium, was presented to La Lorraine Bakery Group. This prestigious award honors Belgian family businesses that demonstrate exceptional leadership, values, and long-term commitment to creating positive societal impact. 

The award was personally handed over by His Majesty the King, whose presence highlighted the vital role family businesses play in Belgium’s economy and society. As pillars of resilience, responsibility, and community engagement, family-owned businesses are uniquely positioned to address complex challenges such as social inequality, climate change, and healthcare pressures.

For over 85 years, La Lorraine Bakery Group has been a leader in milling and baking - while remaining a true family enterprise. Guido Vanherpe serves as overall CEO and his brother Marc Vanherpe leads the Bakery Fresh & Milling division, with the next generation is already engaged: Emmy Vanherpe co-created the family’s sustainability goals and keeps them on track, while working outside the business.

Through the Sustainable Wheat Initiative Europe, La Lorraine goes beyond its own operations, co-founding a sector-wide coalition to cut the carbon intensity of wheat and flour by 30% by 2030. With 60 companies already on board, this initiative exemplifies ESG in action: regenerative agriculture for the environment, partnerships that support farmers and healthier products for society, and governance structures ensuring transparency and accountability. The jury praised La Lorraine as a catalyst for systemic change - proof that a family business can transform an entire industry.

Guido Vanherpe, Group CEO La Lorraine Bakery Group, adds: "We are proud and grateful to win this very first Family Business Impact Award, and congratulations to the other winners, Vandersanden and Immobel, who are also implementing wonderful impact projects. This award is a wonderful recognition and endorses our mission to get up every day to bake a better world, not just to become a bigger, but above all, a better company. With the Sustainable Wheat Initiative Europe, we want to work with the entire baking industry and our entire value chain to reduce the carbon footprint of wheat and flour by 30% by 2030. That is the impact we want to create. It's a big challenge, but we believe we can achieve this through strong entrepreneurship, collaboration, and new technologies that promote regenerative agriculture. It's a necessary step to leave a better planet for future generations."

Limburg-based Vandersanden has grown into an international pioneer under the leadership of Jean-Pierre Wuytack by building not just bricks, but trust, innovation, and resilience. With its bold “Together to Zero” initiative, the company is driving one of the building sector’s most ambitious environmental agendas: creating CO₂-negative construction materials. Vandersanden invests heavily in sustainability, promotes social responsibility through its “Collective Wellbeing” program, and maintains governance rooted in family values.

The company reinvests profits and limits dividends to fund innovation, proving its commitment to change. With next-generation leaders Lore Wuytack, Stijn Wuytack, Thomas Rabijns and Maarten Wauters already active in the business, Vandersanden sets the bar high for the entire sector, proving that aiming for the highest standards can drive meaningful change.

Founded in 1863, Immobel is Belgium’s largest listed property developer and a leader in creating human-centered, sustainable neighborhoods. Under the guidance of Marnix Galle, the company transforms underused urban spaces into vibrant mixed-use districts with housing, schools, offices, and green areas. The jury was struck by their strong focus on social impact, supporting communities, residents, and local businesses.

Dedicated ESG leadership ensures that the family’s vision translates into measurable action, while the next generation, represented by Arthur Galle, is already shaping major developments. By anticipating future regulations and aiming for excellence from day one, Immobel sets the benchmark for responsible urban development.

Anne Mörk Soenen, CEO of FBN Belgium, concludes: “With this award, we honor family businesses that turn their values into tangible societal progress. Rather than a competition, it is an opportunity to showcase inspiring examples that raise the bar for all of us. These companies demonstrate that long-term vision and responsibility are the true drivers of sustainable impact.”

The Family Business Impact Award is more than a competition. It shines a light on the sometimes under-recognized impact of family businesses, inspiring others with their leadership and values. It honors the full scope of their legacy, showcasing how their shared values, long-term vision, and committed leadership redefines responsible entrepreneurship and contribute to a more sustainable future for Belgium and beyond.

This award recognizes contributions that go far beyond financial donations or internal sustainability efforts. It celebrates initiatives where families are directly involved - mobilizing their resources, leading impactful projects, and engaging in meaningful change through core business activities, impact investments, philanthropy, and public policy advocacy.

FBN Belgium is the Belgian chapter of the world’s leading organization of business families: FBN International. Founded in 2005, they are a vibrant community of 110 business families – encompassing 1,200 individual members of which 36% are the next generation. FBN Belgium offers entrepreneurial families a platform for sharing knowledge and best practices to promote family unity, responsible shareholding and the development of the family business across generations. 

CEO

FBN in Belgium

T: + 32 495 229 030
E:  anne.soenen@fbnbelgium.be