Founded in 1975 by John Fentener van Vlissingen, BCD Group employs more than 15,000 people and operates in 100+ countries.

BCD was founded in 1975 by John Fentener van Vlissingen as a real estate management company, Property Management Advisory Services,[3][self-published source?]

In 1976, van Vlissingen left his job at Pierson, Heldring & Pierson to focus exclusively on his company, which opened an office in Atlanta that year[1][self-published source?]

and changed its name to Noro Management Inc. BCD became deeply involved in real estate development in the Atlanta metro area, including shopping malls and office complexes.

[4] In 1986, in anticipation of diversification, Noro was spun off and the remaining company was renamed BCD Holdings N.V.