Most Influential Recruiter 2025
Most Influential Recruiter
2025
Last week, we attended Recruiters United's Most Influential Recruiter 2025 award ceremony in Mereveld, Utrecht. As a partner of the event and because Marelle Beune represented us on the professional jury. Every year, the awards show how the recruitment profession is developing. More than 10,000 votes were cast, but that's not all. Nominees are also assessed on their merits by an independent jury. They answer in-depth questions about their vision, their approach, and how they are advancing the profession. That makes these awards different from a standard public award.
Content more important than visibility
In a labor market where technology and AI are becoming increasingly prevalent, the quality of the conversation remains decisive. That perspective was central during the judging process. It's not about who shouts the loudest, but who contributes substantively to the development of recruitment.
It is fitting that Marelle was on the jury on our behalf. We believe it is important to actively contribute to the professionalization of the profession. Not from the sidelines, but right at the heart of the matter.
Lale Izmirli named Most Influential Recruiter 2025
The expert jury unanimously named Lale Izmirli Most Influential Recruiter 2025. She received the Bas Westland Award and also won the jury prize in the Corporate Recruiter category. According to the jury, she has emphatically positioned recruitment more strategically within her organization and made themes such as diversity and inclusion concrete.
Since this year, the election has been organized by Recruiters United, with a clear ambition to further enhance the quality of the content. This is a development that we, as a partner, are happy to be associated with.
Building the future of recruitment together
For us, this is more than just an awards night. It is a moment when the profession is taken seriously. Where recruiters keep each other on their toes and where substance carries more weight than visibility alone.
We work together with Recruiters United because we share the same ambition: to further professionalize recruitment and focus on content. As a partner, we actively contribute to this, for example by participating in the jury and by being involved in initiatives that strengthen the profession.
Do you work at HeadFirst Group, you work in an environment where recruitment is seen as a profession. Where we continue to learn and where we take responsibility for the role we play in the labor market.
Become part of our team!
Top-level Sports Community Playground
Topsport Community Playground: out of your routine, into your playing field
Team HeadFirst Group
Takea break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life withTeam HeadFirst Group . Last week, we joined the Topsport Community Playground, we entered the iconic Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam for an afternoon focused on trying, falling, learning, and growing. Back to the child in yourself.
Playground is not a standard event; it is an intimate session in which you approach your life as a playing field. A safe space where you can experiment and discover what really suits you, both in your work and beyond.
Small choices, big impact
The meaning of Playground became clear in the stories of Nicolien Sauerbreij, Irene Schouten, and Maarten Meiners. They recounted how their drive developed at a young age: wanting to improve, wanting to be the best, and consciously training differently. By trying out multiple sports and disciplines, playing, and experimenting, they maintained their enjoyment and developed more quickly. It was precisely this differential training that laid the foundation for their growth as top athletes, a mindset in which ambition and play go hand in hand.
Small choices, big impact
Together with Ernst-Jan Pfauth, author of Intentional Living, we delved into making conscious choices. Not grand life plans, but rather the power of small steps. With humor, courage, and room to experiment. Because growth doesn't have to be grand or difficult, as long as you make honest choices.
Then it was time for Full Body Thinking with Wouter de Jong. An approach that combines neuroscience, breathing, systemic work, and schema therapy. Not only understanding why you do what you do, but also really feeling it. Through practical exercises, patterns shifted from "thinking" to "doing," step by step.
Making more conscious choices, every day
Aikido coach Johan Lodder brought East and West together and showed how inner strength, vitality, and authenticity reinforce each other. Less forcing, more moving with the flow. A mindset that works not only in top-level sports, but also in the workplace and in everyday life.
Led by Diana Matroos, it was an afternoon full of insights and practical tools. Tools that you can apply immediately, whether you are a recruiter, manager, or somewhere in between. Because at Team HeadFirst Group, we believe that you become better at your job when you also invest in yourself as a person.
Become part of a team that wants to get better every day, just like in elite sports.
HYROX Utrecht
HYROX Utrecht
Team HeadFirst Group
Sport and pushing boundaries together are deeply ingrained in the DNA of Team HeadFirst Group. We demonstrated this once again during HYROX Utrecht, where colleagues from different parts of the organization took on the challenge together.
What is HYROX?
HYROX is not your standard sporting event. It is a tough combination of running and functional workouts. The format is simple, but anything but easy: 1 kilometer of running, followed by a strenuous exercise. And that eight times in a row. Think of exercises such as the ski erg, sled push and pull, burpee broad jumps, sandbag lunges, and farmers carry. It requires fitness, strength, and mental resilience.
We showed up at the start with four mixed teams, made up of colleagues from different departments. Just the way we like it: training together, pushing ourselves together, and supporting each other through it all, regardless of job title or department.
What made the evening extra special? Colleagues standing on the sidelines to cheer us on. High fives, cheers, and motivational words gave us that little bit of extra energy during the tough moments. This is where team spirit really comes to life.
Pushing boundaries
Our teams went full throttle and showed perseverance, but above all, they had a lot of fun. Colleagues stepped out of their comfort zone and showed what happens when you push boundaries together. It wasn't about times or performance, but about sharing experiences, motivating each other, and being proud of what you achieve together.
And this leaves us wanting more. Keep an eye on us, because there are plenty more sporting and networking events coming up. Hopefully, we will see even more colleagues at the starting line next year. On to the next one!
Become part of a team that wants to get better every day, just like in elite sports.
Healthy competition as a driving force at HeadFirst Group
Healthy competition as a driving force at HeadFirst Group
About culture, growth, and winning together
Within HeadFirst Group, you often hear the term "healthy competition." But what does that mean in everyday practice? It's about stimulating growth, ownership, and pride within a safe and supportive environment. Colleagues are challenged to get the best out of themselves, always with respect for each other. Like Joke de Graaf, Director of People and Culture at HeadFirst Group, puts it: "Ambition only really becomes meaningful when it is supported by clear frameworks and a culture of openness and mutual respect."
Equal opportunities, room for difference
Healthy competition means that everyone has equal opportunities, but that effort and performance can be seen and rewarded. Those who go the extra mile or achieve exceptional results are recognized for this, for example with development opportunities, challenging projects, a salary increase, or a bonus. This encourages people to get the best out of themselves.
It's not just about the big steps. Colleagues who contribute with creativity and energy see their efforts celebrated during the monthly celebration moment and rewarded with personal extras, such as a nice check or tickets to an event. This creates a natural progression: first recognition and growth, then surprises that energize and connect.
“When everyone knows what you are working towards and celebrates each other's successes, competition becomes a force that unites rather than divides.”
Joke de Graaf | Director People & Culture
Competition that connects
By consciously appreciating successes—both big and small—positive energy is created in which colleagues strengthen and help each other move forward. Healthy competition is not about beating each other, but about making each other better. This is reflected in the way we work, celebrate successes, and support colleagues. Everything is geared toward making achievements visible and sharing pride, within clear frameworks and with an eye for each other. As Joke says: "It's about creating a dynamic in which colleagues challenge and inspire each other and grow together. Without stress or rivalry."
Some colleagues go beyond following change; they create change. People who push boundaries, show ownership, and make an impact, while remaining human. For these changemakers, HeadFirst Group has created the Changemaker Awards. These awards celebrate colleagues who bring our culture to life every day: those who challenge assumptions, shape the future, take responsibility, achieve meaningful results, and collaborate with empathy. Nominations make it possible to put colleagues in the spotlight and highlight what it means to make a real impact.
Also, the planned incentive trip to Sicily in 2026 adds an extra dimension. It is a reward for colleagues who demonstrate how commitment, passion, and results come together. In this way, HeadFirst Group not only encourages performance and ambition, but also makes the experience tangible and unforgettable. This extra layer of recognition creates a culture in which healthy competition and personal growth go hand in hand with meaningful achievements and the celebration of real changemakers.
Positive competition in practice
To keep competition healthy, HeadFirst Group combines clear criteria, recognition at multiple levels, and opportunities for collaborative learning. Recognition can be big or small, formal or informal, but the most important thing is that colleagues feel seen and understand what is valued. Transparency plays a major role. When everyone knows where they stand and successes are shared openly, competition remains motivating and unifying.
Healthy competition makes people enthusiastic and engaged, and encourages ownership, collaboration, and innovation. Ultimately, it contributes to both individual growth and the success of the organization. At HeadFirst Group, colleagues simply want to do well, each in their own way. A culture in which performance is recognized and rewarded, and in which everyone can be proud of their contribution, forms the core of the organization.
Top-level sports mentality in practice
That mindset is also reflected in Team HeadFirst Group. Collaboration, discipline, and continuous improvement form the basis here. By organizing and actively sponsoring sporting events, we create moments where colleagues meet and challenge each other in a different way. Not to win against each other, but to stay sharp, persevere, and have fun in development. In this way, sport strengthens the culture in which positive competition connects, motivates, and energizes.
The benefits for everyone
According to Joke, it all starts with a clear cultural vision and transparency. Competition is never about winning for the sake of winning, but about a common goal: "When everyone knows what you are working towards and wishes each other success, competition becomes a force that unites rather than divides." Growth only really has value when you do it together. Healthy competition helps with that. Every day, together.
Top sports community live! 2025
Top Sports Community Live! Top sports, science and business in one
Team HeadFirst Group
What happens when sports, science and business come together? Well ... exactly what we at Team HeadFirst Group like to see: energy, inspiration and new ideas that you want to work with immediately. In a packed AFAS Theater in Leusden 750 visitors were ready for an evening that was completely dedicated to the annual theme of 2025: Focus. With Peter Heerschop talking with humor and flair, as only he can.
Heroes on stage
The evening started surprisingly quiet. Writer Arthur van den Boogaard read a passage from Waterfeeling and immediately set the tone: attention, concentration, being completely in the moment. Then professor of brain science Erik Scherder took over. With his familiar energy and clarity, he explained how our brains deal with focus and why that is the key to top performance, both in sports and in the workplace.
Coaches Evangelos Doudesis, Eelco Meenhorst and Laurens ten Dam then showed how they take teams to the top: with clear goals, crystal clear communication and an eye for the individual. Exactly the way we also work together within Team HeadFirst Group. Musician Tim Knol then provided goose bump moments with his own songs and some classics.
From stress to focus
Noortje and Bregje de Brouwer (Olympic bronze in synchronized swimming) allowed the audience a glimpse into their world of timing, strength and perfect cooperation. While Scherder explained how to turn stress into focus, Femke Heemskerk, Marit Bouwmeester and Duco Telgenkamp shared concrete examples from their careers. Recognizable, honest and above all: super inspiring.
The finale was for none other than Ireen Wüst, the most successful Dutch Olympian of all time. Her secret? Daring to look again every four years at what drove her and adjusting that drive each time. Always learning, always improving. A mindset we at HeadFirst Group can only appreciate.
Become part of a team that wants to get better every day, just like in elite sports.
Challenge accepted: make local talent global
Challenge Accepted: make local talent global
Team HeadFirst Group
How do you really help talent grow? That was the central question during the Topsport Community Challenge, in the iconic Omnisport Apeldoorn, and coincidentally also a question that we at HeadFirst Group deal with every day.
Omnisport is no ordinary venue. It is a place where track cyclists like Harry Lavreysen train hard for gold and where athletes like Lieke Klaver and Femke Bol push their limits. That top sports mentality, always wanting to improve and going for the best result together, comes to life there. That ideal setting and exactly what appeals to us at HeadFirst Group.
The right ingredients
During the Challenge, the partners of the Topsport Community came together to explore how to recruit, retain and develop talent. Because let's face it: that is one of the biggest challenges of our time. No organization is the same; culture, leadership and personal drives all play a role. So there is no blueprint, but there are ingredients that work.
From HeadFirst Group, Claudia, Martijn, Britt and Rogier from our People & Culture team went to work with one common learning objective: how can we make talent development within our organization even stronger? Guided by former top athletes and coaches, they discovered new insights about leadership, cooperation and growth. Together with the other partners, they presented their plans, received honest feedback and immediately translated that into concrete action.
Develop yourself at HeadFirst Group
For us, talent development goes beyond a nice word on paper. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to grow - in knowledge, in skills, but also as people. Just like in top sports, it's about setting goals, daring to ask for feedback, challenging each other and celebrating successes.
At HeadFirst Group, you get plenty of room for that. Whether you're a recruiter, marketer or data analyst. We challenge you to keep improving yourself. We offer education and training, but also space to learn in practice: by working with inspiring colleagues, taking responsibility and experimenting with new ideas.
Growing together
The Topsport Community Challenge gave us an additional sense of why we think this is so important. Talent only really grows when you invest in the right environment: a place where trust, ambition and fun come together. We left Omnisport with concrete plans and a clear goal: to support our colleagues even better in their development. Because growing talent, locally and internationally, is top sport. And we at HeadFirst Group are proud of that every day.
Do you also want to work in an environment where growth, energy and team spirit are key?
Amsterdam Half Marathon
In action at the Amsterdam half marathon
Team HeadFirst Group
Last Sunday we were at the start of the Half Marathon of Amsterdam with a large group of HeadFirst Group colleagues! One of the most beautiful and popular running events in the Netherlands, with a course that runs right through the city, from the Olympic Stadium to the Amstel River and back again. The atmosphere was fantastic: thousands of runners, enthusiastic spectators along the route and a sun that played along just right.
Top performance
While at the full marathon the Kenyan Kipchumba made history with a new course record, Team HeadFirst Group also put in a top performance. We finished 13th out of 250 participating companies during the half marathon. A result we are extremely proud of! With top times within our ranks, such as an impressive 1 hour and 23 minutes, we showed that perseverance, focus and teamwork also come together perfectly outside the workplace.
At HeadFirst Group we strongly believe in the importance of vitality. Not only because sports is good for your body, but also because it contributes to your mental fitness and energy at work. Playing sports together also strengthens the bond between colleagues, something we clearly felt this weekend. Along the route it was one big party of colleagues encouraging each other, laughing together and helping each other through the difficult kilometers. That closeness is exactly what makes our culture so special.
One step better every day
And as with any athletic challenge, we learned something new. About perseverance, how to deal with a dip halfway through or how far you can get if you keep motivating each other. Because in the end that is what it is all about: growing together, making each other better, step by step. Learn Everyday in optima forma.
The muscle pain has now set in. Some walked down the stairs on Monday a little stiffer than usual, but the feeling of pride prevails. Proud of our team, of the performance, of the cooperation and energy that we put down together. This experience shows that vitality is not just something we find important, but something we really live at HeadFirst Group. It tastes like more, on to the next sportive challenge with Team HeadFirst Group!
Become part of Team HeadFirst Group and run with us next year!
Premier Padel
Colleagues pick up wins at Premier Padel!
Team HeadFirst Group
At HeadFirst Group, we do love a challenge. Therefore, together with the partners of the Topsport Community, we were on the court during Premier Padel Rotterdam, the biggest padel tournament in the Netherlands. Here the best players in the world compete for the title. While the world's best were preparing for their matches in Ahoy, we played our own tournament on a court next door. A unique experience, right in the middle of the atmosphere of top sport. Because just like on the work floor at HeadFirst Group, it's all about cooperation, connecting and getting a little better every day.
In addition to the world's top
While on center court the world's top players, such as Federico Chingotto & Alejandro Galán and Agustín Tapia & Arturo Coello (who eventually went home with the win), were getting ready for matches, we played our own tournament. The atmosphere was there right away: fanatical rallies, lots of smiling faces and plenty of energy on the court. You can tell that the Topsport Community partners have the same mindset as we do at HeadFirst Group.
The finals of our own competition provided spectacle, and it was extra nice to see our colleagues win prizes. They went home with a personalized racket. After playing sports, we had dinner together, laughed and talked afterwards with sports icons such as Pieter van den Hoogenband, Marit Bouwmeester, John van Lottum and Fatima Moreiro de Melo. A perfect mix of sports, connection and fun, just the way we like to see it at Team HeadFirst Group.
Shared elite sports mentality
What made this evening extra special was the top sports mentality that was palpable everywhere. By standing among such inspiring athletes, you realize how important focus, discipline and cooperation are. Values that also make the difference for us. In the aftermovie, our colleague Duco beautifully explains how this top-class sports mentality fits in seamlessly with our growth ambition: getting better together, continuing to learn and taking on new challenges with courage. Whether on the work floor or on the padel court, at HeadFirst Group you always go for the win!
Become part of a team that wants to get better every day, just like in elite sports.
Martijn Wolf
"We want people to feel welcome from day one. The lines are short, the barriers low. You can literally walk into anyone's house.''
Martijn Wolf | Learning & Development specialist
Martijn Wolf (28) has been working at HeadFirst Group as a Learning & Development Specialist for almost two years now. His route to this role began while studying Applied Psychology, where he quickly discovered that his passion lies in training and coaching people within organizations.
Own development
After college, he started as a recruiter to gain experience. Not much later he got the chance to train customer service employees for a year and a half, under the guidance of Marelle Beune, now Recruitment Director at HeadFirst Group. When she transferred to HeadFirst and was looking for someone in the field of Learning & Development, she immediately thought of Martijn. His experience in both recruitment and training proved to be a perfect match.
As a Learning & Development specialist, Martijn is responsible for everything around learning and development within HeadFirst Group. "When I started, there was very little in place. That gave me the chance to build something from the ground up." One of his first projects was revamping Onboarding, but his work goes much further. Martijn gives a lot of internal training himself, with communication as a major theme. This topic is now extra in the spotlight because of the organization-wide implementation of a new communication system. Within this project, Martijn is responsible for the communication part. How do you have a good conversation, with customers, but also with colleagues? His communication trainings play a central role in this. From giving feedback to having a good job interview, Martijn has developed a whole series of practical trainings. Each training starts with a need. "Sometimes it's about new implementation of laws and regulations. Then I gather knowledge from colleagues and translate that into practical work forms, such as a role-play." His goal is always that people not only understand something, but actually apply it in their work. "For me, that's the only measuring tool that counts: if I see it reflected in behavior, then I know the training has been effective."
Learn every day
For Martijn, Learn Everyday is much more than just a fancy term. It is a way of thinking and working. "Technology and the world around us are changing at lightning speed. If you don't keep learning, you will fall behind," he says. For him, it's about constantly improving, whether it's something small or big." Whether it's major technological developments, new legislation or just a better way of customer contact, every bit of development counts within the organization." That's why he focuses on performance-based learning that makes a real difference in everyday work.
Onboarding as the foundation of success
Onboarding at HeadFirst Group is not just an introduction. It is an extension of the culture and core values. Martijn completely revamped the process into a five-week interactive program centered on core values such as Learn Everyday, Connecting People and Customer First.
On the central introduction day, all HeadFirst Group labels come together at the head office in Hoofddorp. New colleagues get acquainted, exchange experiences and immediately build their internal network. This fits perfectly with the core value Connecting People. In addition, new employees learn through sessions and presentations how the organization works and where the key areas of expertise lie. The Onboarding is carried by eight different workshop leaders, each with their own specialty and story. Not only do they share their knowledge, but they also talk enthusiastically about their role within the organization and what you can approach them for. This makes the program personal and ensures a warm welcome. New colleagues immediately experience how accessible and committed the people at HeadFirst are.
Furthermore, each starter is assigned a buddy so there is room for personal guidance from the field. That peer-to-peer guidance fits well with the learning-oriented nature of the organization."When you're just starting out, you need someone who has time, knows your work well and is really there for you." This makes Learn Everyday not just something we say, but something you experience directly.
The content workshops include customer satisfaction, security, sustainability, diversity and laws and regulations. Everything is in line with what HeadFirst stands for: quality, an eye for people and society. In short: Customer First, and really knowing what's going on. Martijn sums it up powerfully: "We want people to feel welcome and prepared from day one. But also that they immediately experience how learning, improvement and collaboration are intertwined."
Open culture
Martijn describes the culture of the organization as professional, but at the same time open and approachable. "We are now over 400 colleagues, but everyone was immediately open to my ideas on training. You don't often see that on this scale." That openness starts at the top. CEO Marion van Happen personally takes the time for each new colleague to get acquainted and hear who they are and what they bring to the organization. "That typifies our organization. The lines are short, the barriers low. You can literally walk into anyone's house.'' It's exactly what appeals to Martijn so much: "We connect organizations with each other, but also consciously seek that connection internally."
"Change is a constant with us. If you are someone who is energized by improvement, by collaboration, by growth, then you are a perfect fit here. You don't have to be able to do everything already. What we are looking for are people who are curious, who want to learn and show themselves. If you bring that, you'll get all the room you need here."
From desk to obstacle course: colleagues brave Mud Masters
From desk to obstacle course: colleagues brave Mud Masters
Mud Masters 2025 | Haarlemmermeer
Together through the mud: this is how we do it at Team HeadFirst Group
A temperature of 30 degrees, gallons of mud and dozens of obstacles - that may sound like hard work, but for us it was mostly enjoyment. With 37 colleagues from HeadFirst Group we were at the start of Mud Masters Haarlemmermeer 2025. Spread over 6 and 12 kilometers, we braved slippery slopes, crawl tunnels, ice baths and rope constructions. Together. Because at Team HeadFirst Group you don't push boundaries on your own.
Collaborate
This day was about more than just physical challenge. It was about helping, motivating and encouraging each other - exactly what Connecting People, one of our core values, is all about. In our striking Team HeadFirst Group shirts, we dragged each other through the toughest parts. Not for nothing do we say: we dare to win.
Top sportsmanship on and off the job
Besides the sweat and sore muscles, this day provided a lot of energy above all. Energy that we also put into our work. Because within HeadFirst Group we believe that the power of sports - perseverance, team spirit, focus - fits perfectly with the way we work and grow. That is also why we Team HeadFirst Group created: a program that connects colleagues through sports, health and shared experiences.