IBA reshuffles leadership as de Romrée takes operational control
IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.) has announced a significant restructuring of its senior leadership team, positioning the Belgian particle accelerator specialist for what it describes as a phase of strategic acceleration. Deputy CEO Henri de Romrée now assumes full strategic and operational responsibility for all group activities, while long-serving chief executive Olivier Legrain transitions to a board-level role as Vice-Chairman and strategic guardian.
Catherine Vandenborre, who joined IBA in July 2025 as CFO, has been appointed Chief Ventures and Corporate Officer, taking charge of strategic partnerships, innovation and the group's cross-functional departments, including finance. The reshuffle takes effect immediately and represents the culmination of a succession process that began when de Romrée joined as Chief Strategy Officer in November 2023.
The transition
Legrain, who joined IBA in 1996 and has led the group since 2012, oversaw a period of substantial expansion that lifted annual revenues from approximately 225 million euros to more than 620 million euros. His elevation to Vice-Chairman is framed by board chairman Pierre Mottet as a deliberate act of continuity rather than departure.
"Olivier has built today's IBA with passion and determination," Mottet said. "By redeploying executive roles, he demonstrates the same long-term vision that has always guided his decisions."
De Romrée's appointment to Deputy CEO in March 2024 followed his earlier role as Chief Strategy Officer. Over the intervening period he took increasing responsibility for IBA's Technologies division, which spans nuclear medicine and industrial applications. Vandenborre's expanded remit reflects a broader trend among capital-equipment companies of consolidating corporate development and finance functions under a single officer to sharpen deal-making capability.
Market context
IBA occupies a structurally attractive position in the medical technology landscape. Proton therapy adoption continues to expand globally, driven by clinical evidence favouring its precision over conventional radiotherapy in several tumour types, and by growing capital investment in cancer infrastructure across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. The company competes in the proton therapy equipment market with Varian (now part of Siemens Healthineers) and Mevion Medical Systems, among others, though IBA has historically held the largest installed-base share.
Beyond proton therapy, the group's dosimetry and radiopharmaceuticals businesses provide diversification into faster-growing niches. Nuclear medicine, in particular, is experiencing a marked increase in commercial interest following regulatory approvals for targeted radionuclide therapies in oncology, with several large pharmaceutical companies actively licensing or acquiring radiopharmaceutical assets. IBA's stated priority of developing its nuclear medicine activities positions it alongside a number of specialist contract and technology providers competing for partnerships with those pharmaceutical acquirers.
The leadership changes do not signal a shift in stated strategy. IBA confirmed that its four priorities remain unchanged: global leadership in proton therapy, reinforcing dosimetry market positioning, developing nuclear medicine and industrial solutions, and exploring new technological frontiers. Investors will be watching for evidence that the operational handover accelerates commercial execution, particularly in nuclear medicine, where IBA has flagged ambitions but has not yet detailed a specific pipeline of partnerships or product launches.