Maes family regains control of Alides
Alides, a family-backed investor and developer, has named Alexandre Huyghe as its next chief executive, effective 1 January 2027. He replaces Rikkert Leeman, who is leaving to join Immobel. In the interim, Henk Cardon will serve as CEO ad interim.
The appointment of Alexandre Huyghe is significant, as he is a member of the Maes family, which founded Alides. He has been a member of the company’s Board of Directors and has a background in senior roles at Quares and Re-Vive.
Alexandre Huyghe said, “Alides is more than a company to me – it is the story of our family, which I want to continue with great respect and ambition.” He added that he looks forward to building on the foundations laid in recent years and shaping the company’s growth in Belgium and Poland.
As part of the leadership transition, Alides has also added Alex De Witte to its Board of Directors. De Witte has held CEO roles at Pylos Benelux and Baltisse Real Estate, and they will bring valuable experience to the board.
Alides has framed its growth strategy as spanning Belgium, Luxembourg, and Poland. This marks a departure from its current footprint, which is anchored in Belgium and Poland. The move into Luxembourg could place Alides alongside other major players in a market that has drawn increasing cross-border capital, including real estate investment from various firms.
The company’s growth strategy is supported by its strong financial performance, including an EBITDA of €32m in 2025. It enters 2026 with further momentum expected from the sale of its stake in Stocznia Cesarska in Gdańsk, Poland.
The handover is a blend of stability and fresh energy. Paul Depuydt, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said, “With Alexandre Huyghe we are choosing both continuity and renewal: he knows Alides from the inside and brings a strong track record in the real estate sector.”
Day-to-day continuity will rest with Henk Cardon and the wider team in the months ahead.
All current projects and partnerships will continue under Alides‘ Real Estate Upcycling strategy. Alides Polska, the company’s Polish subsidiary, will continue to expand its residential, office, and mixed-use pipeline across Gdańsk, Sopot, and Warsaw. They will maintain their focus on these key areas.
For now, it’s business as usual for Alides.
The company’s growth strategy and financial performance will be closely watched by investors and industry observers, as they look to Alides to deliver on its plans.
