Alexandre - ITP Finance
The best is yet to come
From running a sandwich shop to steering strategic projects in the International Talent Programme (ITP), Alexandre has taken a less-than-traditional route into the finance world. At 29, he’s older than most of his ITP comrades, but what he brings is a rare mix of life experience and curiosity that inspires him to constantly seek challenges. “Most of the time here, I feel out of my comfort zone,” he admits, but that’s exactly where he thrives.
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Namur to Brussels: from a single chapter to a bigger story
After a few attempts in Bioengineering and Law, Alexandre hit pause on academics and dove into the workforce. He joined full-time, quickly climbing to assistant manager. But it was the colleagues there who pushed him to think bigger.
“They told me, ‘This chapter is too small for your story.”
He took the advice to heart and went back to university to study Economic Sciences. Balancing full-time work with studies, he pushed himself harder than ever before. Now ING opened a new door: “I really love the company culture and the work itself,” he shares.
From internship to impact
Alexandre now works in the ITP Finance track. He’s currently working within Finance Business Advice, where he splits his time across Consolidation, Retail, and Business Banking teams. His key focus? Following the evolution of the bank’s main income source and putting in place remediation actions to ensure we are on track with our goals. But his most memorable achievement happened earlier during his ESG Reporting rotation.
“Seeing that report in print, knowing I contributed to something so significant,
was a proud, emotional moment for me.”
Nothing is ever out of reach
While Alexandre's technical skills have certainly grown, the biggest shift has been internal.
“I was genuinely surprised by how powerful the ITP journey is, and I’ve realised there are very few things truly out of reach. I still remember this sentence that deeply resonated with me: Add the word ‘yet’ to anything you think you can’t do.”
“If you dedicate enough energy and time, you can figure it out.
The ITP taught me that.”
Where once his career goals were about finding stability, today they’ve evolved. “Before the ITP, I was aiming for comfort. Now I want challenges and changes. I want to grow. I wake up happy to go to work and that really changes everything.”
Running together to the next destination
An international rotation is now on the horizon, and as a passionate runner himself, Alexandre hasn’t picked a destination yet. “The Philippines? London? The Netherlands? I don’t know. Sometimes too many options can be dangerous.” he jokes. When asked what he’s taken most from the ITP so far, Alexandre doesn’t hesitate.
“The freedom. The people. The mentality.
It’s an environment space where you’re encouraged to grow,
and where others actually help you do it.”
According to Alexandre, the ITP community in Belgium organises everything from learning sessions and workshops to restaurant outings, sports like padel, and even cultural lunches where everyone shares food from their home country. “Tomorrow we have a wellness session at the office,” he shares. “And of course, we’ll grab a drink together afterward.”
A message for the future ITP community:
Use your ITP card and be bold!
“Being an ITP opens plenty of doors,” Alexandre says. “It gives you the reason to be bold. You can reach out to senior leaders, ask for coffee chats, or schedule a meeting with someone you'd normally never dare to approach. I even emailed the CFO recently just to ask for a conversation about my next rotation.”
About Alexandre
Originally from Namur, Alexandre now lives in Brussels. He’s not always on social media, not out of rebellion, just preference. You’re more likely to find him on a run in the nature. With a background in economics and a passion for strategic decision-making, he’s focused on understanding the bigger picture behind financial operations. Outside of work, he enjoys sports, cultural events, and exploring Brussels’ green spaces.
