12 November 2020

UniCredit’s Head of Finance and Controls is a great music lover who enjoys travel. He gets pleasure from working with people with a can-do-attitude and likes to make a difference

2:00 Min

Wouter Devriendt, joined UniCredit in January 2020 as Head of Finance & Controls. During an international banking career spanning almost three decades, he has held senior roles at ABN AMRO, Fortis and – most recently – Dexia, where he was CEO.

Wouter is happily married and a proud father of two sons and two daughters.

WORK LIFE

Describe your ideal workday

An ideal workday starts and ends with fine music. Every evening, I carefully select the music that will wake me up the next morning. I never get out of bed before enjoying that piece of music until the end. It literally sets the tone of the day.

After breakfast, I walk to the office, make myself a cup of Earl Grey tea and start my first meetings around 8:30. A good day becomes an ideal day when I can make a difference and contribute to solutions. I take pleasure from working with colleagues who share a can-do-attitude and with a sincere interest in doing good.

What do you eat at lunchtime normally?

Takeaway wherever the shortest queue is! I treat myself to pizza with a Coca Cola once a week.

You’ve worked in eight cities across four continents, what connects those experiences?

When I graduated from business school my dream was all about discovering the world and it happened to be a bank that got me on that fascinating journey. My working life has enabled me to team up with fantastic people from diverse cultures. Whatever the beauty of the country, it was the hospitality of people and the fun we had with colleagues and friends that made us feel home.

I am very conscious about the time and effort we all invest in our work and therefore the need to ensure it is fun.

PRIVATE LIFE

Are you a morning or evening person?

Definitely evening.

What’s your favourite time of the day?

I like to wrap up a work-day with a run in Sempione Park.

After dinner, I put on music, have a cup of tea, eat a piece of chocolate and prepare for the next day in a relaxed way.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I spend my spare time with family and friends. I can’t hide my Belgian roots, so we go cycling a lot! I also enjoy hiking and do all sports the mountains have to offer.

I have a relentless desire to see the world, so travel is important to me. My favorite continent is Latin America, but I’m also discovering Italy!

I am attracted by all good things in life that tickle my senses. I love Italy’s food and wine, I enjoy contemporary art, I read graphic novels (although I fall asleep after a few pages) but above all I am a passionate music lover. I’ve been going to concerts since my teenage days and continue doing so. In all of this, I am constantly in search of new experiences and discoveries.