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