Jan Baert: The Media Visionary Behind a 374 Million Euro Fortune

Jan Baert

Jan Baertwhose fortune is estimated at €374,500,000, is known for his association with Het Belang van Limburgan influential daily in the Belgian media landscape. The Baert family name is also associated with the Gazet van AntwerpenThe family's main activities focus on publishing and sales. The family's core activities revolve around the publication and mediawith a significant foothold in Hasselt. The Baert family's financial trend has been positive in recent years, putting them in a strong position today. in the TOP 80 richest Belgian families.

Concentra, the media group managed by Jan Baert and family, experienced a significant rise in value around the year 2000, largely due to its stake in Ubizena flourishing Internet company at the time. However, fluctuations in the technology market and financial bubbles had considerable repercussions. Ubizen's €375 million valuation led to merger discussions. with the Collin family. However, the bursting of the ICT bubble complicated these plans, prompting the cancellation of the merger and resulting in significant losses for all parties involved.

The assets of Baert family declined significantly between 2000 and 2012, from 457 million euros to 95 million euros. With the aim of stimulating growth in the media sector, Concentra has invested heavily in the television sector. In addition to the creation of TV Limburgthey took control of TV Oost in East Flanders and launched the national digital channel Acht.

Concentra's expansion strategy extended beyond the Belgian borders to the Dutch market. Through various mergers and acquisitions, Concentra has succeeded in launching and managing publications such as De Trompetter and Zondag-Nieuws in collaboration with Rheinische Post. In 2008, the takeover of Typische Uitgaven marked their entry into the regional press in the eastern Netherlands. Although the latter was sold to management, TV Limburg remained under the Concentra umbrella until 2009, a period during which persistent challenges were encountered.

2013 was marked by the major merger between Concentra and Corelioresulting in the formation of Mediahuis. Mediahuis holds a significant share of the Flemish and Dutch media market, competing with DPG Media by Christian Van Thillo. The Baert family and Jan Baert currently owns 32 % of Mediahuis, actively contributing to its expansion through acquisitions in Ireland and Luxembourg.

Concentra continues to evolve in a dynamic media sector, building on its solid foundations in press and television to explore new opportunities for growth and consolidation in the international media arena. This is how Jan Baert has acquired a fortune of over 370 million euros.