In memoriam:
John A. Fentener van Vlissingen,
founder of BCD and BORON
March 4, 1939 – December 11, 2025
We are deeply saddened to announce that our founder John Fentener van Vlissingen passed away on December 11, 2025 at the age of 86. Our combined workforce of over 15,000 employees around the globe is mourning his passing and celebrating his far-reaching legacy of entrepreneurship, innovation and service.
Over 50 years of visionary entrepreneurship
As a member of the family that created the Steenkolen Handels Vereeniging (SHV), entrepreneurship was in Mr. van Vlissingen’s DNA. After a career as a banker, he founded his own company in 1975 – the first step in what would become a global family company spanning business travel, real estate, venture capital and philanthropy.
Business travel on the global stage
In 1987, Mr. van Vlissingen wrote a visionary message to his staff explaining how business travel – helping people and companies travel smart and achieve more – represented a path to the future. He foresaw the globalization of the business travel industry, the future of consolidation and the vital role of creative, technology-driven innovation. That memo was the first step toward what would become BCD Travel, the world’s second largest travel management company.
Widely recognized as an industry leader and innovator, Mr. van Vlissingen was twice named to Business Travel News’ 25 Most Influential People in Business Travel and was inducted into BTN’s Hall of Fame. The honors highlighted BCD’s initial entry into the top echelon of global travel management companies following the merger of WorldTravel BTI, TQ3 Travel Solutions and The Travel Company, and his subsequent bold investment in digital transformation within BCD.
A family investment company driven by a family philosophy
As the van Vlissingen family’s office and private investment company, BORON reflects Mr. van Vlissingen’s enduring belief that true partnership, responsibility and patience are the foundations on which strong companies are built. BORON’s portfolio focuses on long-term value creation in sustainable growth markets across real estate services, hospitality & travel, and e-commerce. Across its investments, the company embodies our founder’s special passion for nurturing entrepreneurs and family businesses. BORON combines entrepreneurship with stewardship — a philosophy that has guided the family for over fifty years.
Social responsibility and cultural heritage
Together with his wife Marine, Comtesse de Pourtalès, he believed that with success comes social responsibility. They created multiple foundations focused on building a sustainable future, including supporting children in need, protecting wildlife and nature, and fostering the work of young, talented contemporary artists. Within BCD, the natural passion of our employees for their local communities, together with support from the John & Marine van Vlissingen foundation, has enabled the support of hundreds of charitable initiatives.
While he operated on a global scale, Mr. van Vlissingen never lost his connection to, and pride in, his Dutch roots. By stepping in to invest in the centuries-old company Royal Delft, he helped preserve the cultural heritage of Delft Blue porcelain for future generations.
The next generations
His lifetime of entrepreneurship was characterized by a steadfast confidence in the future: He translated vision into action to build a legacy for “the next generations.”
His unwavering commitment was long admired by employees at BCD and BORON, especially for his presence during critical moments. The family’s ability to provide stability in times of crisis, foster genuine partnerships and navigate a global network reflected his unique talent for connecting with people from diverse backgrounds.
Both BCD and BORON will continue to operate based on our founder’s ideas and vision. In 2025, several of Mr. van Vlissingen’s grandchildren joined the BCD and BORON family boards – a move that highlighted the commitment of the next generations to BCD’s and BORON’s continued success and growth as family organizations. As Mr. van Vlissingen himself said: “In business, a finish does not exist.”
Mr. van Vlissingen is survived by his wife, Marine, Comtesse de Pourtalès, their three children and nine grandchildren.
Should you wish to learn more about our founder’s lifelong commitment to innovation, service, and entrepreneurship, we invite you to watch this documentary on his entrepreneurial legacy.
Leaving a Legacy
Over 50 Years of Entrepreneurship
1939
Born March 4 in Utrecht into the entrepreneurial Fentener van Vlissingen family, co-founders of SHV, the Netherlands’ largest private company.
1950
Sold goldfish door to door on his bicycle for twenty-five cents a fish, discovering early commercial instincts and the joy of creating entrepreneurial opportunities.
1956
Sent to boarding school where strict discipline and structure shaped his character and strengthened the foundations of his entrepreneurial resilience.
1958
Began officer training in Amersfoort, continued cavalry training in Oirschot and La Courtine, and completed service as a lieutenant in Amersfoort.
1964
Married Marine comtesse de Pourtalès, beginning a lifelong marriage based on love, shared values, philanthropy and global perspective, and resulting in three children and nine grandchildren.
1967
Traineeship at Bank Trinkhaus in Düsseldorf, gaining foundational financial experience and exposure to international capital markets and banking disciplines.
1968
Continued training at Brown Brothers Harriman in New York, developing global financial insight and confidence in international business environments.
1969
Joined Amro Bank in Amsterdam, completing banking and brokerage training while managing the foreign cash exchange department.
1970
Joined the Board of SHV Holdings, contributing to long-term governance of the Netherlands’ largest family-owned enterprise for four
decades.
1974
Became youngest partner at Vlaer & Kol, later Pierson, Heldring & Pierson, marking rapid ascent in Dutch private banking.
1975
Founded NORO, his first company, beginning a lifelong entrepreneurial journey built on long-term vision, discipline and international ambition.
1976
Joined the board of Foundation Custodia, strengthening his passion for culture, heritage preservation and old master drawings.
1979
Served as Treasurer of UNICEF Netherlands for thirteen years, supporting international programs for vulnerable children.
1982
Became treasurer of the J.M. Fentener van Vlissingen Foundation, recognizing and rewarding medical excellence at the University Medical Center Utrecht.
1983
Co-founded Noro-Moseley Partners in Atlanta, pioneering early U.S. venture capital and supporting emerging technology-driven businesses.
1985
- Co-founded TEFAF Maastricht, establishing the world’s leading art fair and elevating Dutch cultural presence on the global stage.
- Established the J.A. Fentener van Vlissingen Foundation (renamed the John & Marine van Vlissingen Foundation in 2008), to support children in need worldwide.
- Masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age exhibition at the High Museum of Art (Atlanta), launching a tradition of cultural exhibitions celebrating BCD anniversaries.
1986
Acquired Home Federal Savings & Loan Bank in Atlanta
1987
- Entered the travel industry with purchase of WorldTravel Advisors, laying foundations for one of the world’s largest corporate travel management companies.
- Became treasurer of the Mr. A. Fentener van Vlissingen Foundation, supporting cultural, educational and social programs in the Netherlands.
1988
Acquired Park ’N Fly, expanding into airport parking; scaled operations nationwide before selling the company in 2023.
1989
Co-founded PAN Amsterdam, strengthening the Dutch art landscape and uniting leading galleries, collectors and institutions.
1990
- A Feast of Colour exhibition at the Noordbrabants Museum (‘s-Hertogenbosch), showcasing Dutch and Flemish master drawings and deepening public cultural engagement.
- Invested early in travel technology—Airtrade and Vliegwinkel—laying the groundwork for future online travel leader Travix.
1994
- WorldTravel secured its first multinational client, Alcon Labs, paving the way for rapid global expansion in the years ahead.
- Launch: Primary Capital Advisors in Alanta.
1995
Acquired Rottink Reizen, later renamed VakantieXperts, forming the foundation for Dutch leisure and online travel expansion.
1996
- Sponsored the Atlanta Olympics and Paralympics, enhancing global brand visibility and supporting large-scale transportation logistics.
- WorldTravel pioneered online fulfillment with Microsoft and Expedia, reinforcing unique blend of technology and service in business travel.
1998
Formed WorldTravel BTI, a joint venture with Hogg Robinson Group, significantly expanding global corporate travel capabilities and becoming the third largest travel management company in the U.S.
2000
- Acquired TRX and unified technology operations under its name; later took the company public in 2005 and sold it in 2013.
- Travels Through Town and Country exhibition at Teylers Museum (Haarlem), presenting Dutch and Flemish landscape drawings reflecting his lifelong passion for travel.
2000
- Life and Death Under the Pharaohs exhibition at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History (Atlanta) offering broad public access to Egyptian antiquities.
- Appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau, recognizing his contributions to entrepreneurship, culture and Dutch society.
2003
- Established BORON, the family office and private investment company focused on stewardship, entrepreneurship and long-term investments across travel, technology and real estate.
Acquired majority stakes in Royal Delft and Royal Leerdam, safeguarding national heritage and centuries-old craftsmanship.
- Became Visiting Professor at the University of Georgia MBA Program, sharing entrepreneurial insight with future leaders.
2005
Joined the Aspen Group in the United States as its only foreign member, a distinction he valued deeply and maintained with pride.
- Feast of Color exhibition at the High Museum of Art (Atlanta), showcasing Impressionist and modern masterpieces from the van Vlissingen collection.
2006
Created BCD Travel after major acquisitions to launch a unified global brand with international leadership in corporate travel.
- Named to Business Travel News’ Top 25 Most Influential list, in recognition of industry leadership and global impact.
2007
Launched BCD Meetings & Incentives—later BCD Meetings & Events—expanding worldwide meeting and events capabilities.
2008
- Parkmobile International founded, becoming a global pioneer in mobile parking and traffic solutions; fully acquired by BMW Group in 2018.
- Founded the John & Marine van Vlissingen Art Foundation, supporting emerging contemporary Dutch artists through travel, publications and exhibitions.
2009
BCD named (for the first but not the last time) the world’s Most Admired Travel Management Company by The Beat, reflecting innovation and client trust.
2011
Merged Vliegwinkel, Cheaptickets, Flugladen, BudgetAir and Vayama into Travix, creating a major international online travel group with strong global digital presence.
2012
- Inducted into the BTN Hall of Fame for exceptional leadership and lifelong contributions to the travel industry.
- Established Stichting Familie Onderneming awarding the Familiebedrijven Award, celebrating the vital role of Dutch family businesses for the economy.
- Founded Walvis Participaties, investing in high-growth Dutch technology companies and supporting the next generation of digital entrepreneurs.
2015
Home and Abroad exhibition at the Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam), presenting seventeenth- to nineteenth-century master drawings including the Royal Collection.
2017
Established the JM Wildlife Foundation, supporting wildlife conservation, environmental protection and long-term habitat preservation.
2018
- Opened Dotslash Utrecht, a vibrant startup and scale-up campus supporting innovation, entrepreneurship and technology.
- Impressionism & Beyond exhibition at Singer Laren (Laren), presenting masterpieces from Monet to Van Gogh tracing the evolution of Impressionism.
2019
Received an honorary doctorate from Emory & Henry College in recognition of global entrepreneurship, cultural leadership and philanthropy.
2020
Guided BCD and BORON through the global pandemic with resilience, responsibility and long-term commitment to employees and clients.
2024
Achieved record results at BCD and BORON, reflecting strong recovery, disciplined strategy and long-term value creation.
2025
- Celebrated golden jubilee—fifty years of entrepreneurship—with global events and Getekend, de Natuur exhibition at the Centraal Museum (Utrecht).
Next generations joined the boards of BCD and BORON, ensuring continuity and the future of family entrepreneurship.
Message of Condolence
Please join us in remembering John Fentener van Vlissingen by sharing your private thoughts, memories, and condolences (shared with family members only).
If you prefer to send your message by post, please address it to: Utrechtseweg 67, 3704 HB Zeist. Alternatively, you may email ellen-doornebal@boron.nl.
