John Porter

John Porter serves as CEO of Ackermans & van Haaren (AvH), one of Belgium's premier diversified investment holding companies listed on Euronext Brussels. AvH's portfolio spans several major verticals: DEME, one of the world's largest dredging and offshore energy contractors; Delen Private Bank and Bank J.Van Breda in financial services; Nextensa in real estate; and various growth capital investments. The company traces its roots to 1876 and has built a reputation as a patient, long-term capital allocator. Porter's leadership style reflects AvH's DNA: low-profile, disciplined, and focused on sustainable value creation rather than headline-grabbing deals. Under his guidance, DEME has become a critical player in the offshore wind installation market, positioning AvH to benefit from Europe's massive renewable energy buildout. The private banking operations have grown assets under management steadily, providing stable recurring fee income that balances DEME's more cyclical project-based revenues. His key decisions involve capital allocation across AvH's diverse portfolio — when to increase stakes, when to divest, and how to deploy the holding's substantial cash generation. The balance between DEME's capex-intensive offshore wind investments, the steady-state growth of the banking operations, and opportunistic investments in new platforms defines AvH's investment thesis and share price trajectory.