Customer Case

Bank Nagelmackers

Interim legal leadership for a bank in the midst of transformation

When Belgium’s oldest bank joined one of Europe’s largest banking groups, its legal function suddenly sat at the centre of a major transformation. Bank Nagelmackers needed a seasoned interim Head of Legal to restructure the department and keep critical projects moving, and it needed one fast. Five days after the first briefing, the right person was at work on site. This is how it came together.

Overview:

Industry: Banking

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium

Contact: Clément Treguer, Head of Transformation & Strategy and General Secretary

Limine Solution: Legal Interim Management

A 279-year-old bank in the midst of transformation

Founded in 1747, Nagelmackers is Belgium’s oldest bank, older than the country itself. Today, Nagelmackers is a private bank that helps wealthy families manage their investments and finance their projects. What sets it apart in the Belgian private banking market is its strong focus on credit, serving clients who are actively building their wealth.

Two years ago, the bank was acquired by Caisse d’Epargne, part of Groupe BPCE, one of Europe’s largest banking groups. Clément Treguer led the acquisition from the French side before moving to Brussels to steer the integration. Today he sits on the Executive Committee, overseeing transformation and strategy, and heads the General Secretariat, which brings together legal, governance, complaints, communication and marketing.

“All my teams are dedicated to transformation,” he explains.

That transformation put the legal function at the heart of the agenda. Synergies with the group meant transferring parts of IT and asset management to group level, primarily in France, generating a significant volume of contractual work. Every major step also required board approval and regulatory oversight, involving authorities such as the National Bank of Belgium and the European Central Bank.

At the same time, the legal department itself needed to be restructured, with clearer roles, responsibilities and procedures. Nagelmackers needed an experienced interim Head of Legal who could take the lead on site, and it needed someone fast.

The challenge was not simply to find a lawyer available at short notice, but to identify someone with the seniority, judgement and leadership skills to restructure a legal department while supporting a major transformation. This is where Limine’s specialisation in legal talent made the difference.

From candidate proposals to first day on site in five days

Nagelmackers contacted Limine in October 2025, following a recommendation from within the bank. The process moved quickly: Limine presented two candidates on a Friday, Clément met them on Monday, and by Wednesday the selected interim Head of Legal had started work.

From the initial briefing to the first day on site, the process took just five days. By presenting two carefully selected profiles rather than a long list of candidates, Limine helped Nagelmackers make a fast, informed decision without compromising on fit.

The roadmap was clear from the start:

Restructure the legal department. Within the first two to three months, the interim Head of Legal clarified roles, responsibilities and procedures across the function.
Prepare the handover. While Nagelmackers recruited a permanent Head of Legal, she ensured her successor would inherit a well-organised department and could take over smoothly.
Support the transformation. Pleased with her contribution, the bank extended her assignment by six months enabling her to lead the legal work on key transformation projects, including the transfer of IT and asset management activities to group level.

Efficient, straight to the point

Asked to describe the collaboration, Clément needs only one word: “Efficient. In French we say pas de blabla: straight to the point.” He explained the urgency, Limine proposed two relevant candidates, interviews followed within days, and the contract was signed. After the placement, Limine stayed close to the assignment without adding unnecessary overhead. A 15-minute check-in with Tina every two or three months was enough to ensure everything was on track.

“No waste of time, and very efficient. That’s exactly what I’m looking for.”

The collaboration also reflects how Clément approaches resourcing. He draws a clear distinction between run and build activities: “For run activities, if we need someone, we will hire someone. For build activities, I think it’s better to have an external consultant.”

For a bank of Nagelmackers’ size, that distinction matters. The legal team consists of three people with broad expertise, while the bank’s activities span asset management, investment, credit and payments. When a project calls for specialist expertise for six months or a year, an experienced interim professional can bring the right capabilities for exactly as long as they are needed.

A stronger legal function, ready for what comes next

Over the course of the assignment, the interim Head of Legal restructured the legal department, prepared a smooth handover to the new permanent Head of Legal, and then continued to support the legal side of the bank’s transformation for a further six months.

From the first candidate proposals to her first day on site took just five days. The result was not simply a rapid placement, but continuity in the legal function throughout a period of significant change.

Measurable impact.

days from first contact to contract

pre-vetted candidates

month assignment, extended to 12

Looking ahead, Clément sees AI reshaping legal work, but not replacing the people who do it. “AI is the best intern you could have,” he tells his teams. Summaries, legal research and slide formatting are tasks AI can take on, freeing lawyers to focus on work with greater added value. It can also improve the reliability of deliverables. Before presenting a 70-slide strategy to the group’s headquarters, for example, he asked Copilot to flag discrepancies in the figures and text.

That shift is changing what he looks for in people. Soft skills, creativity and the ability interpret situations in their wider context matter more than ever. “How can you interpret a global context? How can you really reflect and innovate? That is what AI is really bad at.”

And when the next build project comes along? “If we need someone quite skilled, especially on project management, that’s the way of collaboration I see.”

The right expertise, exactly when it matters

Nagelmackers’ experience illustrates the value of specialised interim legal expertise during periods of transformation: bringing in an experienced professional quickly, strengthening the legal function, ensuring a smooth handover and maintaining momentum on critical projects.

At Limine, we connect organisations with experienced legal professionals who can take ownership from day one. Whether the need is to reinforce a team, bridge a leadership gap or deliver a complex transformation project.

Become our next success story.

Looking to strengthen your legal team with interim, on-demand or permanent talent? Tell us what you need, and we’ll connect you with the right legal professional, fast.