Pierre Christiaens is the owner and CEO of Symo Parasols. Previously he worked as a Sales Promoter at Nestlé, then as Sales Manager and General Manager at Mommaerts. Pierre helped to negotiate the sale of Mommaerts to Heywood Williams, listed on the London Stock Exchange.

He wrote the book 'Pick the right Parasol (and your terrace will be packed)'. Pierre also regularly blogs about his passions: parasols, catering, marketing, positive psychology.

The City of Rome awarded Pierre Christiaens the honorary title 'Maestro dell'Artigianato' because at Symo Parasols he keeps alive the centuries-old craft of umbrella and parasol makers. In 2007 Unizo nominated him as Creative Entrepreneur.

Pierre studied Latin & Science at the Sint-Lodewijks college in Bruges (Belgium). He holds a Master's degree in Political Science and graduated with great distinction from the University of Ghent (now Vlerick Business School) with a special degree in Marketing.

He is happily married and father of 3 children.

In his spare time Pierre reads several books every month, mainly about positive psychology and marketing. He travels passionately and supports the local football team Club Brugge.