The Executive Master in Business Administration (EMBA) at AMS is known for its high standards and value. Many ambitious professionals looking to advance into management roles or sharpen their leadership skills choose this program. Nicolas De Backer, Managing Director at Campine France, also completed the EMBA with success. He began the program after several years of professional experience, which proved to be the right decision. This experience allowed him to get even more out of the EMBA and ultimately grow into a role he feels is a perfect fit for him.
Nicolas holds a degree in chemical industrial engineering. He had been working at a chemical company in the Port of Antwerp for some time when he started his EMBA in 2017. Originally, the company was supposed to fund the two-year program. However, during an acquisition, that policy changed. Still, Nicolas was determined: “I decided to finance the program myself because I really wanted to advance into a higher management position and felt I needed broader business knowledge to complement my extensive technical background.” He also invested a great deal of time in the program. This was possible thanks to the company giving him the necessary flexibility, as well as the support of his family. “My wife, who is a doctor, fully supported me. Our children attend boarding school, which allows me more time for work during the week. Both the EMBA program and my current role require significant commitment, so you have to be willing to invest time and energy.”
More extensive, more complete, more personal
Nicolas’ ambition and perseverance paid off. The EMBA gives him both broad and in-depth knowledge on finance and many other aspects of future-proof management. This solid academic foundation, combined with insights and best practices from international business, was essential for him.
Nicolas explains: “When choosing what to study, you usually opt for a certain specialization. Mine was technical. But for the management roles I aspired to, I needed a broader skillset and additional experience.” Finance, HR, organization, IT, communication, and social challenges are all covered extensively in the EMBA program at Antwerp Management School. Nicolas adds, “You don’t just learn how to organize and lead better, but also how to create real impact.” Through case studies, workshops, group sessions, and visits to leading business schools worldwide, EMBA students learn exactly how success happens in business. “Those moments were incredibly valuable to me,” Nicolas says.
From expert to directorship role
The fact that Nicolas financed the training himself gave him a lot of freedom. Although he had no plans to change employers at that time, during the second year of his EMBA training he was approached by a headhunter with an attractive proposal. Campine, a company specializing in sustainable waste management, was looking for a senior manager. Nicolas accepted the offer and became responsible for supply chain and IT operations. When Campine acquired an industry peer in France, Nicolas oversaw that process as well, eventually becoming managing director of Campine France.
Useful frameworks
In this role, his EMBA education has proven invaluable. As the managing director of Campine France, Nicolas encounters many different aspects of business. He explains, “I see all the areas I studied at AMS as tools I can rely on when needed. During the EMBA, you develop a broad framework that gives you solid insight into various fields. Even if something isn’t your specialization, you can quickly analyze situations and make informed judgments. In meetings about topics I’m not immediately familiar with, it enables me to actively participate and provide meaningful feedback.” It also helps to shape your own vision, tackling challenges in a structured way, and looking ahead with an open mind. “You really need that as a managing director, as you’re not only managing daily operations but also setting the course for the future.”
“The EMBA equipped me with the broad knowledge necessary for key management decisions.”
Choosing AMS to make impact
Why Antwerp Management School and not another business school? According to Nicolas, there are several reasons. “The international character of AMS really appealed to me. Plus, Antwerp is easily accessible, and AMS is smaller and more personal than other business schools in Belgium. It’s tailored to professionals, built on a solid academic foundation and covers diverse disciplines.” Nicolas was also drawn to AMS’s philosophy: Opening minds to impact the world. “It’s about thinking critically but also listening carefully. This allows you to reason better and collaborate more constructively with everyone.” For him, that’s what leadership means: having a thorough understanding of your subject and motivating and inspiring others. Anyone who wants to create real impact must also look ahead and ensure continuity. That’s why Nicolas is passionate about giving the next generation the opportunities they deserve. At Campine, for example, he sees a young employee with great potential on his team. “He’s almost thirty and highly capable. We’re considering sending him to AMS as well for additional training in the future.”
Nicolas isn’t the only one who began his education at AMS with valuable experience already under his belt. More and more professionals from various fields view the EMBA as the ideal launch pad to leadership roles where they can make a strong impact. Hands-on experience helps to better contextualize new knowledge and test it against real-world situations. This equips you with everything needed to create real impact.
