By David Ducheyne — President of HRPro.be Every few years, someone declares that HR is over. And yet, somehow, HR never seems to go away. This time, it’s The Economist that sounds the alarm. Their recent article observes that HR has been on an impressive rise—both in numbers and influence. In the past decade, the number of HR professionals in the U.S. grew by 64%, far outpacing overall job growth. CHROs now earn about 70% of what other senior executives make (up from 40% in the early 1990s), and many are even moving into CEO roles. The reason is clear: the world of work has been in constant flux. A decade of turbulence has given HR a central role in helping organizations navigate it all—MeToo, the pandemic, hybrid work, wellbeing, DEI, and a flood of new regulations on everything from minimum wages to workplace conduct. The shortage of skilled talent and the relentless pace of change have only strengthened HR’s strategic position. But The Economist sees storm clouds on the horizon. Lay

Reflections on Peter Cheese’s Opening Keynote at the CIPD Annual Conference 2025 The 2025 CIPD Annual Conference has always been more than a gathering — it’s a pulse check on the profession. This year, in Manchester Central, Peter Cheese, CEO of the CIPD, opened the 76th edition with a call that resonated deeply: “Champion people, transform work.” His message was both reflective and forward-looking — a synthesis of gratitude for the profession’s progress and urgency about what lies ahead. A Time of Profound Change Peter began by reminding delegates that never before have so many forces converged on the world of work: political uncertainty, economic instability, social change, rapid technological progress, shifting legal frameworks, and intensifying environmental pressure. The old PESTLE model has never felt more alive. In his words, “In over 40 years in business, I’ve never seen so much going on in all of these dimensions.” Globalization has given way to protectionism, supply chains ar

Reflections from the HRPro Conference — October 17, 2025 Speaker: David D’Souza, CIPD Director of Profession Report by HRPro.be. On October 17, 2025, leaders and practitioners from across Belgium and beyond gathered in Brussels for the HRPro Conference, a moment to reflect not only on what is changing in the world of work, but also on what this means for the HR profession itself. Among the voices on stage was David D’Souza, Director of Profession at the CIPD, who offered a provocative and generous exploration of where HR stands today — and where it must go next. What follows is a reflection on the ideas he shared. How do we respond to change? The HR profession stands at a critical point. For years, we’ve talked about the future of work, the impact of technology, the evolving expectations of employees, and the pressure on organizations to adapt. Today, that future is no longer something distant. It is arriving — unevenly, unpredictably, and sometimes uncomfortably — but it is here. The

Hrpro.be welcomed the delegates of the European Association of People Management (EAPM) the day before the conference. They attended the conference together with members of the HR community in Belgium. During the international conference, many speakers were stressing the need for balance and courage. “Hold the line and be prepared”, Berna Oztinaz (picture), the president of the European Association of People Management (EAPM), told the international audience. “As a profession, we need to stand for both values and business outcomes”, said David D’Souza, Director of profession at the CIPD. “We should focus on more than only productivity when dealing with people”, said Shuming Fan, PhD Researcher at Ghent University, when discussing the disappointment people have concerning meritocracy. She also presented an alternative model for capability development that goed beyond productivity. Chris Engels (Claeys & Engels) warned the HR community about the pipeline of regulations the EU is developi

Ruhig Bleiben [Brussels, October 17, 2025] – The Belgian Association of HR Professionals, hrpro.be, proudly presented its HR Hero Award to Erik Prieels during its annual international conference. This distinguished award celebrates individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of human resources, exemplifying leadership, innovation, and dedication to advancing HR practices. About the award Each year, the HR Hero Award honors an individual whose exceptional efforts in practice, teaching, research, or thought leadership have significantly advanced the growth and development of the HR profession. Rather than being the result of a competitive process, the award serves as a heartfelt recognition of the recipient’s enduring impact and their commitment to the values of the HR community. The recipient holds the lifetime title of HR Hero, a distinction that reflects their ongoing dedication to the core principles and integrity of the HR profession. This year, Erik Prieels was

Beam HR That question was at the heart of the VHR Congress 2025 at the Concertgebouw in Bruges. A day full of sharp insights and reflection on HR for the future. Three major pain points Frank Vander Sijpe (Securex) began with an overview of the Belgian labour market and the day's themes. Three red flags stood out. 1. Wellbeing All indicators on absenteeism are flashing red. Yet, many employees remain strikingly immobile, choosing to “camp” in their current jobs rather than explore new horizons. 2. The struggle for talent Organisations continue to face severe talent scarcity. There is some relief, with slightly more candidates per vacancy, but Belgium still has one of the highest vacancy rates in Europe. 3. Productivity The foundation of our prosperity is under pressure. Companies need higher productivity, while rising labour costs weigh heavily. These three issues are deeply connected. Weak wellbeing leads to absenteeism and extra workload, which in turn makes attracting talent harder