HRpro.be, the Belgian association of HR Professionals, congratulates UZ Brussels for their nomination as HR Ambassador 2026, following a landmark evening at the Planet Group Arena in Ghent. We also congratulate Barco and VDK Bank.

The 20th edition of HR Gala brought together the Belgian HR community for an evening of inspiration, recognition, and celebration. Jan Van Raes accepted the prestigious HR Ambassador award on behalf of UZ Brussels, receiving the trophy from Pieter Timmermans, CEO of VBO FEB and jury chair of HR Gala, and Najwa Abid from DEME Group, the winner of 2025.

The two other finalists — Barco and VDK Bank — were equally celebrated for their outstanding HR practices. All three organisations demonstrated that strong HR leadership makes a real difference.

Leadership as the Evening's Theme

The event opened with an inspiring session on Leadership in Trust, featuring:

  • Prof. dr. Lou Van Beirendonck (Antwerp Management School), who explored the foundations of trust-based leadership;
  • Niels-Henrik Sørensen (360 Leadership), who shared an international perspective on leading with purpose;
  • David Ducheyne, President of HRpro.be and managing partner of Otolith Consulting, who reflected on leadership' and HR.

The three finalists — Lien Meuleman (Barco), Jan Van Raes (UZ Brussels), and Nancy Deweirdt (VDK Bank) — joined a panel discussion moderated by Prof. dr. Peggy De Prins (Antwerp Management School) and Ann Cattelain (CEO Federgon), bringing the theme to life with concrete cases from their organisations.

The award ceremony featured a keynote by Prof. dr. Luc Sels, Chair of the Board of Leiden University, and former Rector of KU Leuven. Het reflected 20 years back and tried to look 20 years ahead.

20 Years of HR Gala

This edition marked a milestone: the 20th anniversary of HR Gala. The event was celebrated with a new logo, a refreshed visual identity, and the presence of a large group of former HR Ambassadors. This reaffirmed its ambition to remain Belgium's reference event for HR professionals for years to come.

About HRpro.be HRpro.be is the Belgian association of HR Professionals, bringing together HR practitioners across Belgium to share knowledge, drive best practices, and elevate the HR profession.

About HR Gala HR Gala is Belgium's annual HR awards event, organised by and for the HR community. Now in its 20th year, it recognises organisations that demonstrate excellence in people management and HR leadership. HRPro is one of the organizing parties of the event together with VBO-FEB, Federgon, Antwerp Management School, HR Square, Jobat, Color Club.