Nesto appoints Antoine Lejeune as Group CEO

Nesto has appointed Antoine Lejeune as Group Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 October 2026. 
Antoine will report directly to the Board of Directors and lead the group's next phase of development and growth.

Antoine brings more than 25 years of international leadership experience across healthcare services, business transformation, operations, commercial and M&A. Throughout his career, he has successfully led large, decentralised organisations, partnering closely with local management teams to drive growth, operational excellence and long-term value creation.

Most recently, Antoine served as Regional COO and Head of Operations & Development for North and East Europe at SYNLAB, one of Europe's largest healthcare services providers. There, he led operations and commercial activities across 9 countries, working alongside local leadership teams to accelerate growth, improve performance and execute strategic initiatives. Prior to that, he was CEO of SYNLAB Belgium, where he drove a period of sustained growth, completed multiple acquisitions and integrations, and helped build one of the group's strongest country organisations. Earlier in his career, Antoine spent several years advising healthcare businesses on M&A at Rothschild & Co.

Dirk Knüppel, Chairman of the Board of Directors, commented: "We are delighted to welcome Antoine as the new CEO of Nesto. His leadership style, strategic vision and deep understanding of people-centric service businesses make him ideally placed to build on Nesto's strong foundations and help us continue delivering outstanding care to animals and their pet parents. He brings a proven track record in healthcare, and we are convinced he will guide Nesto through its next phase of development."

Antoine will collaborate closely with the Board and the leadership team to ensure a smooth transition. All co-founders remain actively involved in the business, with Johan Van Ommen supporting clinical excellence across the network in his role as Chief Medical Officer.

Antoine Lejeune added: "I am thrilled to be joining Nesto. What attracted me most is its unique combination of local entrepreneurship, talented veterinary professionals and a genuine commitment to excellence in animal care. Nesto has built an impressive network with a strong reputation among clinic teams, pet owners and industry partners. I firmly believe that empowering local teams, fostering collaboration and providing the right support infrastructure are key ingredients for long-term success. I look forward to working closely with our colleagues across Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany to further strengthen the quality of care we provide every day."