A Life Beyond Borders: Inside the World of Wim Geleyn at the Start of Consilium’s Next Chapter

Already established across London, the Channel Islands and the Cayman Islands, Luxembourg is a natural next step for Consilium as we expand our Professional and Executive Risk solutions capability into one of the world’s most sophisticated financial centres.

For a market like Luxembourg, Wim is uniquely suited to the role. Not simply because of his technical expertise, although there is plenty of that. But because his entire outlook has been shaped by navigating different cultures, commercial environments and ways of thinking from the very beginning.

Raised Between Worlds

Wim was born in South Korea and raised within a Belgian diplomatic family, spending his early life moving between countries, languages and cultures. For some people, that kind of upbringing creates instability. For Wim, it enabled adaptability. He said,

It is a mindset that still shapes how he approaches business today. Rather than assuming solutions, he focuses first on understanding people, motivations and the environment around them. Moving between cultures also taught him that differences are not obstacles to overcome but rather perspectives to understand. He said, “I learned to appreciate differences rather than judge them. It made me more open-minded, less prejudiced and very comfortable with change.”

That global mindset became even more valuable as Wim’s career developed across international financial markets where diplomacy, negotiation and cultural awareness often matter just as much as technical expertise. In Luxembourg, these qualities are especially crucial. While highly international, Luxembourg remains relationship-driven, with strong regulatory expectations and little tolerance for remote or anonymous decision-making. 

Access in Luxembourg Still Based on Proximity

That observation goes to the heart of why Consilium opened a physical office in Luxembourg in the first place. You can support some markets remotely, but Luxembourg is not one of them. Wim explained, “Local presence signals commitment, accountability and credibility, both with clients and regulators."

With more than EUR 8 trillion in assets under management and its position as one of the world’s leading fund jurisdictions, the market operates within an incredibly sophisticated financial ecosystem spanning funds, captives, SPVs, alternative investment structures and financial institutions. Despite its scale, access is still heavily built on trust, visibility and personal relationships.

In a market where face-to-face conversations and strong connections are key, understanding the local landscape is essential. Wim excels in this area, using his fluency in Dutch, English, French and German to build strong relationships. Wim also understands Luxembourgish, speaks a bit of Russian and enjoys learning Italian and Spanish, further enhancing his local connections. He said, "Being able to switch naturally between languages builds trust and makes collaboration far more effective."

The Moment Wim Walked Away

After holding roles in risk management and corporate non-life insurance as both an underwriter and a broker at global firms such as AIG, Marsh and Aon, Wim's career took a defining turn. He stepped away from corporate life to run his own practice, in a decision that would fundamentally change how he viewed responsibility, value creation and independence.

Rather than continue following a traditional corporate insurance path, Wim moved into self-employed advisory work spanning real estate, private equity and venture capital. It was a sharp departure from institutional life and one that taught him lessons he still carries today.

“Running your own practice is a stark contrast to corporate life. Managing yourself, maintaining discipline and then working even harder to actually get paid was a decisive learning experience.”

The move enhanced his commercial instincts. Wim wanted to be welcomed by funds and investors as someone who brought interesting projects, not just insurance invoices. He said, "I was curious about how capital decisions were made, what the drivers were and how investors balance risk (opportunity) and reward."

That curiosity led him deeper into infrastructure, private equity and investment environments where risk was discussed strategically rather than operationally.

Looking at Risk Differently

One of the biggest advantages Wim brings to clients today is the breadth of perspective developed across multiple sides of the market. He understands how insurers assess exposure. He understands how investors evaluate opportunity. And he understands the governance pressures facing financial institutions, funds and independent directors operating in highly regulated environments.

That allows him to approach risk more holistically. He said,

That thinking is particularly relevant within Luxembourg’s funds ecosystem, where the complexity of structures often demands much more nuanced advice than standard market approaches provide. It is also part of the reason why FundShield represents such a major opportunity within the Luxembourg market.

For Wim, FundShield is one of Consilium’s strongest differentiating factors - a genuinely innovative proposition capable of reshaping how funds and financial institutions think about protection, governance and risk transfer.

Building Something That Lasts

Reflecting on the reputation he had built across the BeNeLux region in areas including alternative risk financing, captives and financial lines, Wim admits, "There were moments when I regretted stepping away from insurance."

Joining Consilium offered an opportunity to reconnect with that expertise, within a business that aligned more closely with how he thinks modern advisory businesses should operate.

“Consilium combines entrepreneurial thinking with institutional-grade standards, which is rare,” Wim explains. That balance matters, particularly in Luxembourg, where credibility and innovation need to coexist carefully. Clients expect sophisticated thinking, but they also expect stability, trust and long-term commitment.

For Wim, the opportunity lies in being able to build something sustainable inside one of Europe’s most influential financial markets. He said, “I am excited to help shape a platform that clients and regulators can trust for the long term.”

In many ways, that feels like the perfect summary of both Wim himself and Consilium’s wider ambitions in Luxembourg: internationally connected, commercially sharp and built around relationships that last.