Marc Coucke


Marc Coucke is a Belgian businessman, billionaire, inventor and media figure. Founder of former BEL20 pharmaceutical company Omega Pharma, he has spread his business interests across several sectors including art, through his company Kamacoucka, and sports, through the co-ownership and sponsorship of the UCI ProTeam cycling team, sponsorship of French Ligue 1 side Lille OSC and in the capacity of chairman of Belgian Pro League team Anderlecht.

Education

Marc Coucke studied at St Barbara College in Ghent before attending the University of Ghent where he studied pharmacy. Later he obtained a Master in General Management from the Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School.

Biography

In 1987, he co-founded Omega Pharma with Yvan Vindevogel. This Belgian pharmaceuticals company grew rapidly and in 2006 employed three thousand people whilst operating in thirty countries. He remained Chief Executive Officer of Omega Pharma until 30 September 2006, returning to the post in March 2008. Whilst his business profile represents considerable achievement there have been highly publicised failures that include the launch of Omega Pharma's E-Waves phone Chip in 2008. It was withdrawn shortly after release as it did not work.
In 2007, he was featured as a member of the jury in the television show De bedenkers. In 2013 he became the major shareholder and chairman of KV Oostende. Five years later, on 20 December 2017, he bought RSC Anderlecht.

Personal

Marc Coucke is married and has two daughters. He lives in the newly renovated eighteenth century Castle Mijl Eke near Merelbeke in east Flanders.