Numbers, IT and artificial intelligence may sound businesslike, but for Alexander Van Harck it's just as much about people. Since May 2024, he has worked as director of finance and IT at Mourik Belgium, where he oversees both the financial side and digital development.
A family business in a no-nonsense sector
Alexander always had ambitions to work for a family business. "The typical dynamics, long-term vision and joint decisiveness appeal to me enormously," he says. "The sectors in which we operate have a no-nonsense mentality, but at the same time a lot of room for progress and innovation. Moreover, here you get the freedom to develop ideas that you believe will really make a difference. What I particularly appreciate in this respect are the short lines of communication: you can switch quickly and consult directly with the right people."
Finance and IT with an eye for the human side
His position is twofold, he says: "In my position, I have two responsibilities on the one hand, my job is to ensure that Mourik Belgium remains financially healthy. That means not only watching over the accuracy of the figures, but also dealing responsibly with the resources we have."
Besides the financial part, there is also a focus on IT. "The world is changing rapidly. New technologies and artificial intelligence open up huge opportunities, but also bring challenges. My role is to show Mourik Belgium the way in that world and exploit the opportunities that exist."
But even in that digital and financial domain, Alexander says it is ultimately about people, because although his tasks may seem technical and analytical, he thinks the human side is at least as important. "Besides the typical skills, you have to be especially communicative and enjoy working with people. We are a support service, for and by people. It is the cooperation that makes us able to do our job well."
