New Board of Directors for Infrabel: four royal appointments

King Philippe has terminated the duties of four directors of Infrabel and appointed four new members to the board of directors of the public law limited company. The decision is detailed in a royal decree of October 1, 2026, published in the Belgian Official Gazette on October 13, 2026, under reference C − 2026/007362 (p. 54784).

A royal decree from the FPS Mobility and Transport

The text originates from the Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport and is based on Article 207 of the law of March 21, 1991, regarding the reform of certain public economic enterprises, as well as Article 17 of Infrabel’s statutes. It was adopted following the opinion of the Finance Inspector on September 14, 2026, and the agreement of the Minister of Budget on September 24, 2026, and is countersigned by the Minister of Mobility, J.-L. Crucke.

The decree recalls that the mandates of the directors representing the regions on Infrabel’s board of directors had expired on December 31, 2022, and that the holders continued to perform their duties to ensure continuity of service. The royal decree of April 25, 2014, regarding the representation of the regions, requires that the board include three representatives of the regional authorities, one per region.

Four honorable resignations

Article 1 grants honorable resignation from their duties as members of the board of directors of the public law limited company Infrabel to:

• Herman De Bode;
• Antoine De Borman;
• Ruben Lecok;
• Karel Stessens.

Three regional appointments for six years

Article 2 appoints as members of the board of directors, for a six-year mandate:

• Antoine De Borman, proposed by the government of the Walloon Region (decision of August 28, 2025), former deputy chief of staff to the Minister of Employment and director of the Territorial Development Agency of the Brussels-Capital Region;
• Bart Van Camp, proposed by the government of the Flemish Region (decision of May 29, 2026), chief of staff to the Flemish Minister of Mobility, member of the board of directors of De Lijn and Mobility advisor to VOKA;
• Arne Smeets, proposed by the government of the Brussels-Capital Region (decision of July 23, 2026), member of the cabinet of the Brussels Minister of Mobility, Public Works and Road Safety.

Patrick Dewael will complete an ongoing mandate

Article 3 appoints Patrick Dewael as a member of the board of directors to complete the six-year mandate of Ruben Lecok, which will expire on June 3, 2027. Ruben Lecok had resigned on January 1, 2026, and the board of directors had co-opted Patrick Dewael on that same date, a provisional co-optation until a definitive appointment.

The decree justifies this appointment based on the background of the individual concerned, Minister-President of the Flemish Government and Deputy Prime Minister, whose experience as President of the Chamber of Representatives allowed him to develop expertise in legal and institutional aspects.

Entry into force

Article 4 sets the entry into force of the decree on the day of its publication in the Belgian Official Gazette, namely October 13, 2026. Article 5 charges the minister competent for rail transport with its execution. On the same day, a separate royal decree, referenced C − 2026/007365, reorganizes the board of directors of the SNCB.

For rail users and the company’s partners, this rotation ends more than three years of expired mandates maintained by continuity of service and establishes full regional representation, with a shortened mandate for Patrick Dewael which must be renewed by June 2027 at the latest.

Official source: Belgian Official Gazette of October 13, 2026, royal decree of October 1, 2026 regarding the honorable resignation and appointment of members of the board of directors of the public law limited company Infrabel, reference C − 2026/007362, p. 54784.