Introducing Jensen Verhelle, Umicore EVP Catalysis
Jensen Verhelle has been Umicore’s Executive Vice-President of Catalysis since May 2024. A Belgian national, mechanical engineer, married and father of two, he shares a glimpse of the person and leader behind the title.
By the time you reach his office, it’s clear this isn’t your typical executive suite. “It’s not really just my office,” he smiles. “At Umicore, we follow a flex-desk approach more and more. Between my travels and meetings, I’m happy to share this space and have other colleagues sit here.”
Born into a family of entrepreneurs, Jensen’s first lessons in leadership came from the back of a forklift truck. His grandfather and father ran a wood trading business, and as a young boy, he was often found helping out after school.
I did everything I could, from driving forklifts and trucks, serving customers to stacking pallets. It taught me a lot: the rhythms of a business, the importance of people. We really cared for our employees and that stuck with me.
But it wasn’t just business that shaped him, tennis played a defining role, too. Competing at national and international levels, he developed discipline and focus.
Perhaps the most important thing I learned was how to win and how to lose. Sport and business have a lot in common. You train, you adapt, and you keep going until the last ball of the match bounces for the second time.
His career spans finance, operations, and sales, with pivotal moments such as his first role as general manager at Umicore Brugge, where he could finally bring all his skills together and also his earlier move from finance to production. “That’s where I really learned how to lead people: by managing and being close to the colleagues.”
Perseverance, honesty, and teamwork are what he credits most for bringing him to where he is today.
Nothing in life comes for free, you have to work for it, believe in yourself, and never give up. And trust is the foundation of everything. Success is never achieved alone. With diverse teams, you see perspectives you'd never see on your own. Nobody’s perfect, but together, we can get close.
Looking ahead with Core 2028
Speaking of Umicore’s Core 2028 strategy, Jensen is clear, while the world races toward electrification, internal combustion engines (ICE) are far from obsolete. “Even in 2035, ICE will still power more than half of all passenger cars worldwide. There’s still an exciting road ahead and we will be there for our customers.”
He’s especially proud of the cultural transformation within the Business Group Catalysis, which calls for self-leadership, courage, openness within a trusted environment, and dedication from every colleague. “I’m confident Catalysis will be faster, stronger, and longer,” he says. “On one side, we see continued performance in Automotive Catalysts, even in a declining ICE market. On the other, exciting growth in Precious Metals Chemistry, with our expansion in Catoosa, and in Fuel Cell and Stationary Catalysts, with our products used in everything from fuel cell electric vehicles to ships to data centers powering AI. Our unique stationary catalysts support backup systems that keep data centers running during outages. It’s a quiet, but critical role in the digital age.”
Jensen believes Core 2028, supported by strong teams, will help deliver sustainable value to Umicore and all its stakeholders. “Only the sun rises for free. I’m proud to say our teams work hard every day to clean the air we breathe and to create great chemistry, together.”
Back at his desk, the objects surrounding him tell their own story: a tennis racket, symbol of discipline and resilience; a Lego Camaro Chevrolet, reflecting family heritage and passion; and pictures that remind him how much he cares for and values his colleagues.
