Nicolas Dubuisson loves Southern Europe and trail running.

In this series of interviews, we interview well-known men and women in the asset management industry in the Belgian market, and we avoid asking them questions about their role and financial expertise. This month we are pleased to interview Nicolas Dubuisson, the new Head of Business Development for Belgium and Luxembourg at DNCA Finance.

Hi Nicolas. First of all, what is your great passion outside the financial world?

Nicolas Dubuisson: "The biggest one is certainly sport, especially trail running, which I do over distances of up to 50 kilometres. So not really a beginner level, but not a professional level either. I do it about twice a week, usually in the morning, sometimes before I start work. This passion came to me quite simply, a natural evolution of the running I started doing at the beginning of my professional life, which then led to trail running thanks to the many courses that exist in the countries where I take my holidays, or in the region where I come from (Chimay). Finally, as I am tall (1m93), trail running allows me to absorb more of the shocks in my back compared to road running. "

So it's a solitary activity?

N.D.: "Yes and no. Last year, for example, I accompanied and provided assistance for friends who were participating in the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. I also do trail running as part of a team, especially with my two colleagues Thomas Péan and Jo Switten, salesmen at DNCA Finance. We recently participated in the Half Iron Man in Remich. We have also set up a Strava group to record data from our various runs, and we have gathered a whole group of clients, colleagues and acquaintances with the goal of running 40,000 kilometres this year. If we achieve this, money will be donated to the Sport2be charity."

Is there any other sport that appeals to you?

N.D.: "I've been playing tennis since I was very young, having started hitting that yellow ball at the age of five. I stopped for many years due to a lack of time, and I've been back playing the sport for the last four years on a fairly regular basis. It's my favourite sport, for the singles matches that are more in your head than in the game, with ups and downs.”

And a passion other than sports?

N.D.: "I really like automobiles and oldtimers. My father, who is a great car enthusiast, has passed on this passion to me. I really like the work of art aspect of some cars, but I don't own a classic car at home any more, because I don't have the opportunity to drive them much. I attend vintage car events whenever I can, including the Goodwood Festival in the UK, where you can see absolutely anything that drives and is prestigious.”

Is there a place you particularly like?

N.D.: "I really like the island of Brač in Croatia, where a very white limestone is produced that was used to build the White House. It is a natural haven of peace preserved from the main tourist routes, which allows you to find a calm and natural environment. It is a fairly isolated place, and you have to take a ferry to get there."

What regions or cities would you like to discover?

N.D.: "My ambition is to go to Corsica next year, in particular to discover the GR20, the mythical long-distance hiking trail that crosses the Isle of Beauty, and whose amazing landscapes I have wanted to discover for many years. It will also be an opportunity to discover the special stages of the Corsica Rally. And why not, in the future, take part in the Corsican Rally for oldtimers if I manage to find an affordable vintage car?”

Are you a gourmet?

N.D.: "I like good French or Italian food, and the wines that go with it. More particularly, the tannic red wines of Southern Europe, whether they come from France, Spain, Italy or Croatia. In terms of cuisine, I also enjoy the dishes of the southern regions, for example a good bouillabaisse eaten on the spot during the summer. And I also enjoy cooking at home for family and friends.”

If you hadn't worked in finance, what other career could you have had?

N.D.: "To work in a house specialising in auctions, and more particularly in vintage vehicles. To be able to meet car enthusiasts on a daily basis and see mythical models go by would have been a dream job for me."

Is there a particular cause you support?

N.D.: "For reasons that are very personal to me and linked to life events in my entourage, I am involved in the efforts to fight cancer, whether financially through donations or through participation in certain sporting activities.”