Véronique Pauwels returns to Bain & Company as partner and Dutch chair
After close to three years as CEO of Versuni, Véronique Pauwels is returning to Bain & Company. In mid-October, she will re-join the firm as a partner and chair of its Dutch organisation.
Pauwels previously spent more than 25 years at Bain & Company, including as managing partner of the firm’s Amsterdam office. She also led the Performance Improvement practice across the EMEA region.
In 2024, she left the global strategy consultancy to become CEO of Versuni, the former Domestic Appliances division of Philips. Versuni sells its products in more than 100 countries and is best known for brands including Preethi, Senseo, L’OR Barista, Saeco and Gaggia. As CEO, Pauwels led the consumer goods company around the world and oversaw a workforce of around 6,400 employees.
During her tenure as CEO, Pauwels led Versuni through a significant organisational transformation, focusing on growth, profitability and value creation while further strengthening the company’s position as a global market leader.
Back ‘home’ at Bain & Company
As chair in the Netherlands, Pauwels will contribute to further strengthening Bain & Company’s relationships with senior leaders across the business community. She will focus on a select number of key client relationships with major international and European companies. She becomes a senior member of the firm’s Consumer Products and Private Equity practices.
“Leading Versuni, building the team and transforming the organisation from within were incredibly valuable experiences and gave me an invaluable new perspective as a business leader. Bain & Company has always held a special place in my heart: the people, the values and the impact we make together with our clients,” says Pauwels.
“By returning, I can bring together the best of both experiences and use them to support different companies, leaders and transformations. I am therefore incredibly excited to be back.”
Founded in 1973, Bain & Company has around 19,000 employees worldwide. Its Amsterdam office has approximately 250 consultants and staff.
Cédric Bovy, managing partner of the Amsterdam and Brussels offices and head of the Benelux cluster, says Pauwels’ return comes at a time of strong growth for the Benelux business, driven by increasing client demand for the firm’s broad range of expertise and services.
“Véronique brings a unique combination of qualities: an impressive track record as a leader and adviser at Bain, combined with her experience as a CEO successfully leading and transforming a global business. She returns with an even deeper understanding of the challenges facing CEOs, boards and investors. We are delighted to welcome her back.”
Tom De Waele, managing partner of Bain & Company in the EMEA region, adds: “Having experienced the full complexity of the CEO role during her time at Versuni, Véronique returns to our firm with an extremely valuable perspective on the challenges facing leaders and boards today. We look forward to the impact she will have for our clients and Bain & Company.”
