Prior to joining Adobe, Van Beneden served as president of San Francisco based Critical Path where he made significant steps in advancing the firm’s strategy. His particular focus during his tenure was on adapting the management structure to enhance productivity and to align the firm to meet new global opportunities.
From 1995 to 2001, Van Beneden was with Lotus Development Corporation where he served a variety of roles. Most recently, Van Beneden was Executive Vice-President, Worldwide Field Operations where he was charged with leading Lotus’ worldwide sales and service businesses. In this role, Van Beneden achieved billion dollar revenue objectives and aligned the market strategies of several regional organizations. His leadership helped Lotus to dramatically increase its margins. In addition, Mr. Van Beneden held the roles of Vice President of Software Sales for the IBM Software Brands and IBM EMEA & General Manager and Senior Vice President, Lotus EMEA. As vice president of software sales at IBM/Lotus, EMEA, he led his region to more than doubled revenues.
Prior to his time with IBM/Lotus, Mr. Van Beneden spent almost a decade at Oracle Corporation driving global growth strategies and redefining that company’s sales messages and strategies. As a result of his leadership at Oracle France, he was elected worldwide “Manager of the Year” in 1989, and during the five-year period from 1989 to 1994 revenues for the division where he served as managing director increased more than 900%. Prior to Oracle, he held various positions in the European IT industry, including executive positions at CAA, Digital Equipment.
Mr. Van Beneden holds a Ph.D. in business management from Paris University and a Master’s degree in the same from Paris Dauphine. A recognized spokesperson on economic and business affairs, Mr. Van Beneden has co-authored a book entitled Meta Organizations and has spoken at the World Economic Forum on the subject of “The Role of Information Technology on Education”.
Background
6 years experience in Transformation Management Consulting
8 years experience in Sales and General Management with Digital Equipment and Oracle
2 years experience in Consulting with Lotus Consulting Europe
3+ years experience as General Manager & Senior Vice President with Lotus EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa)
1+ year experience as Executive Vice President WW Sales & Services
Education
1981 – 1983 : PhD in Business Management – Paris University
1980 – 1981 : Master in Business Management – Paris Dauphine