Gert De Mesure: "Talking with people is essential"
Gert De Mesure, an independent financial analyst who recently published the book GVV’s van A tot X, Beleggen in beursgenoteerd vastgoed in België en in het buitenland (REITs from A to X, Investing in Publicly Listed Real Estate in Belgium and Abroad), took a walk "beyond the meeting table" with Jo De Wolf on the Hofstade estate. "My hobby is my job, and my job is my hobby," he says. "But that doesn’t mean it’s not important to take time to relax occasionally. I come here regularly to clear my head and have a chat with people. Talking with people is essential. It’s also the common thread in my profession. The better you know the people leading a company, the more accurately you can analyze that business."
A Maverick Who Found His Own Path
Gert De Mesure doesn’t hide his pride in the position he’s carved out over the last fifteen years as an independent analyst in Belgium's financial landscape. "I’ve always done everything on my own," he explains. "My parents ran a bakery in Vilvoorde and didn’t have much time for me. Everything revolved around work. I participated in athletics and biked everywhere by myself. I even became the Brabant champion in the 100 meters, but I don’t think my parents ever saw me on a track. Similarly, in my studies and professional career, I had to find my own way.
While in the military, I applied for a job at Merrill Lynch in Luxembourg one Friday. I was offered the position, but by the following Monday, the stock market crash of 1987 had occurred. I ended up starting at Generale Bank and later moved to a Japanese bank and then to Bank Delen, where I transitioned from a sales role to conducting my own analyses. I experienced the Russian financial crisis and the September 11 attacks up close in the dealing rooms—events that leave a lasting impression. But these crises are an essential part of the financial world, which makes it so fascinating. The financial sector and the stock market have always been my habitat. I’m now 57 and plan to continue doing what I do for years to come. Like a kind of maverick, I’ve managed to carve out my own niche among the analysts from major institutions."
Critical of the Media
From his position, Gert De Mesure finds it frustrating that the media often lack a real connection with what’s happening in businesses and fail to highlight the positive aspects. "I have difficulty with journalists who call me and spend an hour on the phone with me, only to use a single quote in their article, often without considering the context or distorting the meaning. In general, I find that the press is too focused on the here and now and doesn’t pay enough attention to the bigger picture. A different approach, with more expertise, would be very welcome in this regard."
Breaking Free from the Grind
Despite his criticism of the media, Gert De Mesure is content with the role he has established in the financial world. "My parents recently passed away. Like for everyone, it was a moment to reflect. I look back on how things turned out with satisfaction. My wife and I went through a period where we were swept up by life. My daughter showed potential to become a top tennis player, which put us on a relentless treadmill of training and tournaments. I still remember a match where she almost beat Elise Mertens, who later became Belgium’s undisputed number one and a Grand Slam doubles champion. Her loss in that match was a turning point for us as a family, leading us to step off the tennis treadmill. Now, we live much more consciously and try to spend a lot of time together as a family.
I have the freedom to work whenever I want, which allows me to help my daughter professionally—she recently did an internship at Leasinvest. And having many contacts helps with that. My whole life, I’ve prioritized talking with people, including CEOs of companies that most Belgians wouldn’t have access to. Contacts are always valuable in some way. Investing in them is like sowing seeds, not knowing whether you’ll ever reap the harvest. But experience shows that this approach helps serendipity along. You often discover valuable things you weren’t initially looking for.
However, as a freelancer, you need to stay constantly alert. Balancing that with a rich family life unfortunately leaves little or no time for social engagement. That doesn’t mean I’m not aware of what’s happening in the world. The need for greater sustainability, for example, will inevitably have a significant impact on the real estate sector."
