What’s the largest Belgian family office by AUM?

After an in-depth research process, our experienced familyofficehub.io research team concluded that the D’Ieteren investment vehicles are the largest Belgian family office, with assets under management of over €5bn.

How does the D’Ieteren family invest?

The D’Ieteren family’s wealth stems from a seven-generation automotive legacy, beginning in 1805 and solidified by their exclusive Volkswagen distribution rights in Belgium post-World War II. Over time, the listed holding company D’Ieteren Group expanded into global automotive services through Belron (Carglass, Safelite), aftermarket parts (TVH, PHE), and lifestyle brands like Moleskine.

Following a strategic split between cousins Nicolas D’Ieteren and Olivier Perier, the family’s investment activity has evolved into two distinct vehicles. Nicolas now controls a 50.1% stake in D’Ieteren Group through his family office Nayarit Participations, which continues to focus on long-term platform investments in sectors like mobility services, industrials, and business services. Olivier’s SPDG family office, in contrast, is pivoting toward sustainable development themes, including energy transition and recycling, with minority stakes in innovative firms such as Lifepowr.

Both family offices, Nayarit and SPDG, are located in the Belgian capital, Brussels.

Alternative candidates for the Belgian family office ranking by AUM

Our familyofficehub.io research team also looked at several other candidates for the Belgian family office ranking. The richest Belgian citizen, Eric Wittouck, has an estimated net worth of almost €10bn. His management is mostly based on the family company Tiense Suicker and a well-developed investment in the US private equity firm Invus. Our team decided against classifying Invus as the Wittouck family office – hence, it is not the largest Belgian family investment vehicle. To the best of our knowledge, there is no private investment vehicle for Belgian logistics billionaire Fernand Huts. However, the family has significant philanthropic activities through The Phoebus Foundation. Further noteworthy are the Van Damme, De Spoelberch, and De Mevius families, whose wealth is based on the brewery company AB InBev. The families have dedicated some of their capital to the investment vehicles Cogepa and Verlinvest. However, we see the D’Ieteren family offices as larger and more pronounced in their family office activities.

Picture Source: Stephanie Le Blanc (19.05.2025)