Duke & Grace welcomes new CEO Geert Desager
Ghent-based full-service agency Duke & Grace is embarking on a new chapter with the appointment of Geert Desager. As of 1 October, he replaces current CEO Bart De Waele and Managing Director Linda Galle. With Geert Desager as CEO, work is now underway to consolidate the many areas of expertise within the agency and build towards the future.
Flashback to 2006: internet pioneers Bart De Waele and Dirk Sabbe founded a company under the name Netlash, later changing the name to Wijs. Following a merger with creative agency Gents, the firm repositioned itself and adopted a catchy new name: Duke & Grace.
During the pandemic, managing director Linda Galle and the management team brought together the various areas of expertise within Duke & Grace – ranging from UX/UI business design and development to concept and online marketing – to form a single, integrated story. In doing so, they created a solid foundation capable of providing a full-service approach for clients such as Goed, Netflix, Infrabel, TotalEnergies and Barco.
“Duke & Grace is an amazing company, whose success is fuelled by a strong internal culture and a fantastic team of experts. On top of your excellent work over the years, I would like to thank all the 'Dukes & Graces' from the bottom of my heart for the inspiration and energy they have given me each and every day.”
Linda Galle
Executive Advisor
With the arrival of Geert Desager as CEO, the aim is now to consolidate and build on this solid foundation. His experience working at agencies such as DDB, as well as tech companies such as Microsoft and PayPal, makes him the ideal person to help Duke & Grace continue establishing itself within the market.
“To build on our mission and continue in our pioneering role within the digital market, we looked to strengthen our team of executives. In Geert, we have found an experienced business leader with a deep understanding of our wide-ranging expertise.”
Bart De Waele
Executive Board Member
Over the next few years, the new CEO will consider how the agency's many areas of expertise can continue to grow, as well as how it can move forward in its mission to act as a trusted ‘companion to marketeers’ in this rapidly evolving market.
“For me, Duke & Grace is a story of ambitious growth. I feel truly honoured to be able to write the next chapter for one of Belgium's leading pioneers. In doing so, while I will certainly be taking their legacy on board, I will also be deciding on particular areas of focus to equip Duke & Grace for the international market over the coming years”
Geert Desager
CEO