For over three-quarters of a century, Panis Group has been a fixture in the Antwerp region. With the trio of Davy Blommaert, Bart Suy, and Thomas Willekens recently at the helm as partners, the accountancy and advisory firm aims to use its decades of accumulated expertise to serve not only the diamond world but, by extension, Belgian SMEs with growth ambitions and internationally active enterprises.
By Jan Van De Poel
Photography by Vincent Callot
'With our office right in the diamond district, clients can literally walk in on us. We want to offer that same proximity in other sectors.'
DAVY BLOMMAERT, BART SUY AND THOMAS WILLEKENS, PANIS GROUP
What?
‘Panis Group guides and unburdens entrepreneurs from A to Z. Besides bookkeeping, accountancy, and taxation, we also assist, for example, with the establishment of companies and even with full payroll processing. We have our own payroll team for this purpose. Especially for foreign entrepreneurs and companies that do not yet know the Belgian rules and language when they want to establish themselves here, this integrated approach makes a big difference. Just as we are there for international corporations with a billion-dollar turnover, we also guide local SMEs, ranging from law firms, service providers, and real estate companies to enterprises in the maritime sector and hospitality. Today, our Antwerp head office has around 40 employees.’
Origins?
‘Right after the Second World War, Tom Panis’s grandmother helped Jewish survivors with the administration for their applications for compensation. This led to the start of the office, which the subsequent generations expanded. For the last 27 years, Tom Panis and Stefan De Clercq jointly owned the company. Through my trajectory in the international diamond and corporate banking world, I got to know this house well and also became good friends with them,’ says Davy Blommaert. ‘After 17 years of living and working in Dubai, I returned to Belgium with my family in the autumn of 2024 and joined Panis Group. After that, first Bart and later Thomas also joined. I have known Bart since our joint commercial sciences studies. With his experience in the IT sector, he directs, among other things, the digitalization and organization. Thomas strengthens us with his in-depth expertise in Belgian and international taxation.’
Uniqueness?
‘From our location right in the Antwerp diamond district, we show that we want to be close to our clients. For clients from the diamond sector, this makes it possible to literally walk in on us with questions or documents. We want to offer that same proximity in other sectors as well. In addition, Panis Group has been at home in the Middle East for decades, as a result of which we have built up a lot of knowledge, the right connections, and a strong foundation of trust there. In an international trading hub like Dubai, we feel completely at home. Issues that other offices do not immediately know how to handle are exactly our strength.’
Mission?
‘The relationship between the Belgian SME and its accountant has become highly digitized over the past five years. On the other hand, from our experiences in the IT sector and relationship banking, we know how important it is to think along with your client and their future plans. We believe that we can differentiate ourselves through our personal approach. As a boutique accountancy firm, we want to be there for clients who are looking for a personal relationship with their accountant and who believe in the added value of personal advice, alongside correct processing and monitoring of the numbers.’
International?
‘With about 65% of all diamantiers worldwide being our clients, we work very internationally. For instance, an office was opened in Dubai 25 years ago, because clients needed support there too. That office has 90 employees. In India too, we have our own network and back office, to give Belgian companies easier access to those markets and guide them in their expansion. At the same time, this foreign presence makes us a logical partner for companies from the Middle East and India that want to do business in Europe via Belgium, just as it does for Belgian companies wanting to be active in these regions.’
Ambition?
‘Panis Group wants to grow further, without losing sight of entrepreneurship and proximity to the client. For this reason, a partnership with SDM Corporate Finance Group was also recently formed. Because of this, on the one hand, additional investors come on board, and on the other hand, the next growth phase can be shaped. The Belgian accountancy market is in full motion. Panis Group wants to play an active role in this, together with SDM Corporate Finance Group. We want to expand our presence in the coming years by entering into collaborations across the different provinces with complementary accountancy and advisory firms.
