David Gerone

Founder & Managing Director | Entrepreneur & Business Builder

Brussels Metropolitan Area

About

Founder and business builder with 15+ years of experience in education and hospitality, specialized in the creation, development, and scaling of high-quality, service-driven institutions. I founded Montgomery International School Brussels, which grew from a local initiative into a fully accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) school offering the Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes, with consistently strong academic outcomes and long-term institutional stability. After leading the school’s strategic development, governance, and accreditation processes, I transitioned from the director role ahead of its acquisition by an international education group. More recently, I founded Whitlock 16 Aparthotel, a premium boutique aparthotel in Brussels, where I focus on strategy, financial performance, and scalable operations, with day-to-day management delegated to external operators. Today, I selectively advise founders and boards on international school development, governance, and accreditation, while actively developing hospitality and aparthotel projects with an international expansion perspective.

Experience

  • Angel Investor - Early-Stage Ventures at Blast Club
    Mar 2025 - Present · 1 yr 5 mos

    • Investor at Blast, backing high-potential startups and innovative ventures. • Engaging with founders, evaluating opportunities, and contributing to the growth of disruptive businesses. 🚀

  • Founder & Managing Director at Whitlock 16 Hotel
    Jan 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 7 mos

    • Led acquisition, redevelopment, and conversion of a former bank building into a premium aparthotel • Managed permitting, design, construction, and pre-opening phase • Launched hotel operations in January 2025 (11 units) • Structured delegated operations with external hotel manager and service providers • Oversee financial performance and expansion strategy

  • Education Advisor at International Schools Management - ISM
    Oct 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 10 mos

    • Advising founders and boards on the creation, governance, and accreditation of international schools (IB curriculum) • Supporting strategic development, regulatory positioning, and leadership structuring • Select advisory engagements in Belgium and internationally

  • Founder & Former Director at Ecole Internationale Montgomery
    Jan 2005 - Sep 2023 · 18 yrs 9 mos

    • Founded in 2007 and scaled an international school from launch to ~200 students • Led international accreditation processes (IB Diploma, MYP, PYP) • Built and managed academic and administrative teams • Oversaw strategy, budgeting, and long-term development • Transitioned from Director role prior to acquisition by Ermitage Group