Ponteon Group - Bálint Veér, Managing Partner 

1.Why do you think membership in the American Chamber of Commerce is important for businesses operating in Hungary?

AmCham serves as a solid platform for promoting competitive and ethical business practices across sectors in Hungary. Its inclusive and colorful culture promotes dialogue, knowledge sharing as well as responsibility towards the wider society, bridging the gap between business, education and governance. Overall, I believe that companies which can align their own ways of doing business with those of AmCham members enjoy a supportive and mutually beneficial association through their membership.

2. What motivates you to be an AmCham Board Member?

Upon establishing our membership, I quickly realized that the current AmCham membership is heavily skewed towards larger multinationals. Whilst this does allow AmCham to be effective in guiding the top-tier business leaders in Hungary today, it does somewhat limit its ability to connect and incorporate views from the SME sector. As the head of a small boutique consultancy which serves a wide range of SME clients, I believe having a voice for the group that make up much of the Hungarian business scene can be a major advantage for AmCham and its membership alike. I do sincerely believe that I am a qualified candidate to be that voice and bridge for AmCham.

3. Why do you feel you are qualified? What skills do you bring to the position?

I believe that professionally, I have acquired a wide range of skills that would serve well in a board capacity. Based on my understanding, issues that come up on the board are of strategic nature – something that is second nature for me as a consultant. I have steady experience in quickly understanding complex ideas and formulating strategy in a group environment. On a personal level, I have a colorful background that would allow me to bring a novel approach and outlook – I grew up internationally across five countries; I’m bilingual in English and Hungarian and hold an undergraduate degree in finance and a graduate degree in public policy. Additionally, I believe that the Board and AmCham could benefit from a younger point of view – at age 32 I believe myself to be confident enough in my professional skills to apply for this role, whilst maintaining a high-energy and youthful point of view to complement it.

4. How have you been active in AmCham over the course of the last two years?

Having actively contemplated a Board position for over twelve months, I have made a conscious effort to immerse myself in AmCham activities, events as well as advocacy work. I took part in many flagship events (e.g. Business Meets Government, Roundtables, Outlooks etc.) as well attending almost all working group meetings for the E&I WG. As part of my involvement with the E&I WG, I actively shaped all outgoing policy and agenda papers, including the last round on improving educational standards. I make a conscious effort to launch myself into networking at AmCham events as believe this is equally important in being an active member. Through introductions at AmCham events, I have already managed to establish connections which transcend our committee work and have resulted in joint business proposals as well as fruitful cooperation opportunities.

CANDIDATE BIO
Bálint is a management consultant specializing in strategy, M&A and international business development. For the last five years, Bálint served as managing partner of Ponteon, a boutique advisory practice working in Hungary and the wider region. 

Bálint has a unique personal and professional background. For a large part of his was spent abroad – he calls Budapest home along with Belgium, the Netherlands, England and Russia. Such significant global exposure allowed him to work and build relationships internationally with ease. 

His career experience serves as foundation for his work. His formative years were spent at KPMG, where he was the youngest senior advisor at the time of his promotion. Afterwards, he transitioned into a management role overseeing upstream capital expenditure and investment at MOL Group, followed by a role as commercial director at the exclusive Juliet Victor winery.
He holds an undergraduate degree in finance and a graduate degree in public policy. He is bilingual in English and Hungarian and speaks Russian and French.