Dirk Hermans

Innovation Manager - Digital Assets Strategy at KBC Group

Lier, Flemish Region, Belgium

About

I thrive where technology, business, and strategy intersect—crafting bridges between blockchain innovation and established financial systems. My expertise lies in making sense of complexity, ensuring that groundbreaking technology adds value in regulated, productive ways.Ten years leading into blockchain tracks and alliances, supported by a career spanning IT, auditing, and banking, have taught me that true digital transformation in finance is evolutionary, not revolutionary. My focus: shaping, interpreting, and guiding that evolution with holistic perspective and systemic insight. Areas of impact: - Translating complexity into clear, actionable strategies - Delivering thought leadership and engaging keynotes - Advising on strategic decisions in fast-changing contexts - Connecting silos between finance, technology, and policy

Experience

  • KBC Bank & Verzekering (18 yrs 7 mos)
    • Innovation Manager - Digital Assets Strategy
      May 2016 - Present · 10 yrs 2 mos

      Innovation manager in the Group strategy & innovation department, responsible for : - financial and non-financial tokenization, digital money, crypto - defining KBC position in industry DLT-consortia; - participation in industry alignment workgroups - general leadership wrt blockchain I execute a cross functional role involving strategy, product, legal, compliance, technology, public policy and regulatory engagement.

    • Internal Auditor Financial Markets
      Sep 2012 - Apr 2016 · 3 yrs 8 mos

      - Responsible for audits in the area of financial markets - dealing room (interest rate options, infratructure, Dealing room Singarpore & Hong Kong) and KBC Securities (brokerage, Bolero online, Securities Services, Infrastructure, Corporate Finance, trading &sales Patria (CZ) & Hungary) - Blockchain risk assesment activities

    • Head of Operations Trade Finance
      Dec 2011 - Oct 2012 · 11 mos

      Responsible for the unit processing Documentary Credits (Import and Export).

  • IT Domain Manager at LCM
    Mar 2003 - Nov 2007 · 4 yrs 9 mos

  • Project Manager at Amon Technologies
    Jan 2002 - Feb 2003 · 1 yr 2 mos

  • Project Leader at The E-Corporation
    May 2000 - Dec 2001 · 1 yr 8 mos

  • Project Leader at ING
    Aug 1996 - Apr 2000 · 3 yrs 9 mos