Michel Akkermans holds a M.Sc. in electronic engineering and computer sciences and a postgraduate degree in economics & finance from the University of Leuven in Belgium. He also attended the Singularity University Executive Program (Silicon Valley) in September 2018.

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After continuing at the university as an academic researcher, he moved to project management positions at international banks, including JP Morgan and Continental Bank, and subsequently for international consulting companies.

 

In 1989 Michel founded FICS, a leading software provider in the field of online banking and regulatory financial reporting. Under his leadership as Chairman and CEO, FICS grew to employ over 700 employees worldwide and achieved revenues in excess of USD 70 million. In 1999 FICS, together with Edify and Vertical One, merged with Security First Technologies, creating the market leader in Internet banking - S1 Corporation (Nasdaq: SONE), with Michel as its executive chairman.

 

After leaving S1 in 2001, Michel Akkermans co-founded Clear2Pay, an innovative finance technology company focused on delivering global solutions for payments and became its Chairman and CEO. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, with offices worldwide, the company's focus is to facilitate banks and financial organizations in their provision of payments services. It pioneered the payment services hub as the core payments software infrastructure for financial institutions and large corporations. The company also developed advanced testing solutions for the entire payment value chain. Clear2Pay employed 1200 staff and achieved revenues over EUR100 million before it was acquired in 2014 by FIS (Nasdaq: FIS), the world’s number one in financial technology. Michel continued with FIS as an executive advisor after the acquisition.

 

In 2001 Michel also became an investor and executive chairman in Data4S, a data analytics and data mining company, focusing on anti-money laundering applications for financial institutions. Norkom acquired the company in 2004.

 

Clear2Pay, FICS and Data4S generated superior returns for its investors and management teams.

 

A proven pioneer in new financial technology dynamics, Michel is a frequent keynote speaker at industry-led events and actively participates in the development of new ideas, initiatives and companies. He is multi-lingual and operates worldwide.