Interview with Gilles Boumeester,
Global Head of F&A Coverage
Gilles Boumeester was recently appointed
Global Head of F&A Coverage. Ihis role was
recently created to ensure tbat the global sector
strategy and the alignment thereof with our
Food Agribusiness Research and Advisory (FAR)
department will be implemented successfully
in the comingperiod. As such, Gilles will be
functionally responsible for the eight Global
Sector Heads who were appointed in December
2009 and be directly responsible for the FAR
team under the management ofCarel van der
Hamsvoort. Gilles will also be commercially
responsible for Wholesale International clients
which do not form part ofone of the eight
identified global sectors and assume direct
leadership of this ninth cliënt segment.
Q Can you explain how the eight global sectors
and FAR cooperate?
A "On an operational perspective there's daily
interaction between our Senior Relationship
Bankers (SRBs) and FAR analysts about what's
happening within the sectors. FAR analysts supply
the Relationship Managers with information and
ideas on sector trends, thereby presenting a wider
perspective than would normally be achieved from
a discussion with one cliënt in a single sector. In
return, the analysts receive feedback from the RMs
on what's happening 'on the ground'. In addition,
the FAR analysts will provide long term develop-
ments expected in the industry which SRBs will
use to discuss strategy with their clients." FAR will
also join meetings in their role of global sector
strategist.
Q Are clients aware of this approach?
A "We are actively discussing this with clients and
informing them of their new cliënt coverage team.
Clients already appreciate our extensive F&A
knowledge and with this new model we will be
able to better service them in their specific F&A
needs. This will tend to be on a cross border level,
or in new markets where they're already operating
but have limited expertise."
0 What are your main goals?
A "Our primary goal is for the cliënt, product and
FAR teams to work together seamlessly by offering
globalised relationship management, thereby in-
creasing cliënt intimacy and providing differentiated
solutions to our F&A cliënt base."
Q The Region Special focuses on the Pork Beef
sector and more specifically the Chinese pork
industry. How do you see the Chinese pork
industry developing?
A "The pork industry in China is huge. Given
its size and scale, we believe they'll need to in-
crease efficiency and focus more on food safety.
We see our role as helping clients piek the right
areas where they have an obvious chance to
grow in this market, while helping existing pro
ducers grow in size."
issue 24 on RI WORLD