Meet Allard
Meet Allard van Dam: A Clear Path Forward
At HeadFirst Group, we believe that people make the difference. For Allard, in his role as Country Manager for the Netherlands, that was exactly the case. After ten weeks, it already feels familiar. Not because everything is already familiar, but because the energy is undeniable. “What struck me right away was the mindset. People here want to move forward. There’s a positive drive, a willingness to go further. That’s something you can build on,” says Allard. His fresh perspective and the immediate connection with the organization characterize his first few months. The way of thinking, the energy, and the ambition align seamlessly with who he is. And that’s exactly what makes him feel at home here so quickly.
A fresh perspective
From the very start, Allard threw himself into the organization. By meeting with teams and listening carefully, he quickly gained a clear understanding of where our strengths lie and where opportunities exist. Above all, he sees room to get even closer to where the action is: our partners. All of this is grounded in the strength of HeadFirst Group: a passionate organization full of people who care deeply about their work. “We’ve been successful in recent years. But success can also create distance. And if you’re not close enough to your partners, you run the risk of missing what really matters.”
His focus is clear and deliberate. More conversations with partners, more time on-site, and a better understanding of what’s really going on. Not by adding more work, but by shifting where the work is done. “If you’re in sales or account management , you belong with your partner. That’s where you’ll find the real insights.”
Raising the bar together
In addition to that energy, there’s another important factor: performance. Not as pressure, but as clarity and direction. For Allard, performance starts with clarity. Knowing what’s expected of you, keeping your commitments, and focusing on what truly makes an impact. But just as important is the environment in which you do that.
“I don’t believe in performance without safety. People need to feel like they can speak their minds, ask for help, and even make mistakes. That’s how you grow,” says Allard. At HeadFirst Group, we challenge each other to bring out the best in ourselves, while also helping each other get there. The bar is set high, but you’re never on your own. And when you reach it? Then we celebrate together. That’s how we do things at HeadFirst Group.
Growth starts with people
If there’s one thing Allard keeps coming back to, it’s that organizations don’t grow—people do. When people grow, the organization follows. Development doesn’t happen in theory but in practice. By trying, learning, adjusting, and trying again. “Skills can be learned. Real growth comes from doing, from experience.” That is why leadership is so important. Understanding where someone is on their journey. Knowing when to challenge someone and when to support them. Because no one grows in the same way.
“Compensation and performance go hand in hand. That link must be clear and consistent.”
What success looks like
When asked what a successful year looks like, Allard focuses not on numbers but on health. “Health comes first, then enjoyment of what you do, and only then the results.” This characterizes not only Allard but also HeadFirst Group as an organization. Ultimately, performance isn’t something you force, but something you enable. “When people feel good and enjoy their work, the results follow naturally.”
Accessibility is also an important issue for Allard. No hierarchy, no distance—just a simple invitation. “If you have an idea or a question, or just want to chat, come by. My door is always open.” Allard’s first few weeks were all about listening, observing, and understanding. Now the direction is clear. People must always come first. “If we get these basic principles right, the results will follow naturally. And that’s something we’re building together.”
Join an organization where people make a difference
Thialf Elite Sports Community
Thialf World Allround Championships
Team HeadFirst Group
On March 5, the dynamic energy of elite sports, innovative thinking from the scientific community, and the drive of the business world came together at Thialf. Team HeadFirst Group entered the stadium alongside colleagues and clients and enjoyed an inspiring evening thanks to our partner Topsport Community
Building on the success in Milan
The evening began with a warm welcome and a buffet dinner. Before long, the focus shifted to insights into the world of sports. There was no better guest to lead this discussion than speed skating icon Rintje Ritsma. He took us back to the highlights of the recent Olympic Games and offered a preview of the World Championships weekend. Drawing on his experience as a top athlete, Ritsma emphasized that mental resilience, sharp analysis, and the ability to always go that extra mile are the building blocks of elite performance.
Networking in the speed skating arena
The event at Thialf was about more than just sports. We attended alongside colleagues and business associates, which immediately made it a great opportunity to catch up with each other in a different setting. It offered a unique chance to engage with other professionals and exchange ideas.
While preparations for the first sprint sessions were underway behind the scenes—featuring athletes such as Femke Kok, Suzanne Schulting, and Jenning de Boo—there was plenty of networking going on in the stands. It is precisely this combination of elite sports and informal get-togethers with colleagues and business associates that defines Team HeadFirst Group.
Energy, inspiration, and connection
At At Team HeadFirst Group , we believe that work goes beyond just your role. Whether it’s moments at Thialf, Premier Padel, during Mud Masters or at The Dutch Masters, we bring people together and challenge each other. That combination of ambition, collaboration, and experience is evident everywhere. It shows how we, as an organization, build strong relationships and a close-knit team, where there is room for fun, growth, and celebrating successes together.
Become part of a team that wants to get better every day, just like in elite sports.
How CEO Marion van Happen Inspires
This is how our CEO at HeadFirst Group inspires others: curious, people-oriented, and always on the move
Leadership shapes the energy of an organization. It reveals how we work together, where we’re headed, and what kind of environment you’ll be joining as a new colleague. That’s why we’d like to share how our CEO, Marion van Happen, guides HeadFirst Group. With curiosity, a people-first approach, and the drive to keep growing every day. Her leadership style says something essential about us. About the culture you’ll be working in, the freedom you’ll have, and the energy you’ll feel here. A culture that moves, evolves, and invites you to do the same.
Curiosity that drives change
At HeadFirst Group, we believe that true innovation starts with curiosity. Not knowing, but wanting to discover. Not assuming, but asking questions. Marion brings that to life in everything she does. She brings people together, challenges teams to think further, and creates an environment where ideas can collide to become better. That open way of working fosters a dynamic in which knowledge isn’t hoarded, but circulates, grows, and adds value every single day. Curiosity isn’t an afterthought here; it’s the engine that drives us forward.
People-centered leadership that fosters growth
What makes Marion special is how she combines sharp insight with a human touch. She constantly focuses on what delivers the greatest value: we strengthen core activities and simplify or automate non-core work, so that people have the time and space to focus on what truly makes an impact. At the same time, she stays close to the teams. She listens, walks alongside them, asks questions, and seeks connection. This creates a clear picture of where opportunities lie and what choices are needed to keep moving forward. As a result, decisions are not only better, but also feel fair, supported, and logical. It is leadership that brings peace of mind and unleashes energy.
Talent that grows, flourishes, and moves forward
For Marion, leadership is about helping talent flourish. It’s not about titles or labels, but about qualities like curiosity, courage, collaboration, and a growth mindset. At HeadFirst Group, you’ll therefore have every opportunity to shape your own path—whether that means deepening your expertise, broadening your horizons, or taking a completely new direction. We encourage initiative, celebrate successes, and offer opportunities that align with who you are and who you want to become. This makes HeadFirst Group a place where everyone can grow and where leadership isn’t just at the top, but emerges throughout the organization.
A message for future colleagues
Stay curious. Move faster than you think you can. Take the initiative. Dare to try, fail, and start over. That’s how you foster growth. That’s how you make an impact. That’s how you make your work meaningful—for yourself and for others. Why does this matter to you? This article isn’t just about our CEO. It’s about the culture you’ll experience when you join HeadFirst. A culture that reflects our core values: curious, because we keep discovering and asking questions; people-oriented, because we see, support, and build together; and full of energy, because we want to move forward with ambition and drive. If this resonates with you—if you want to grow, learn, build, and make a difference—then you’ll feel right at home with us.
Join an organization that’s always on the move.
Kick-off 2026: Efteling
Kickoff 2026:
Efteling
This is how we kick off the first quarter at HeadFirst Group. Not sitting at your desk with a cup of coffee. No, we start things off the way we do everything: together and full of energy. This time, colleagues from all over the Netherlands and Belgium gathered at the magical Efteling—a place where creativity, teamwork, and adventure come together. We’d love to take you along on the adventure of the day!
Not fairy tales, but goals
We gathered at the iconic Fata Morgana. And no, at HeadFirst Group we don’t believe in fairy tales, but we do like to draw inspiration from them. It was the perfect moment to extend a warm welcome to our new colleagues and to look ahead together. Our sector leads and management shared their vision and concrete goals for the coming year. Inspiring, guiding, and exactly the energy you want to feel at the start of the new year.
Just like the mysterious scenes in the attraction, we were constantly surprised by insights from our colleagues. From consultants to recruiters, from support teams to management: everyone contributed something unique.
Joël Borelli
The morning wrapped up with none other than Joël Borelli, who literally had everyone on their feet. It was exactly the kind of energy our organization needs. It felt like the start of a roller coaster ride: excitement, adrenaline, and a huge burst of energy.
After everyone had sung their hearts out to all of Joël Borelli’s hits, we headed into the park. Some braved the G-forces on the Python and felt the speed and adrenaline coursing through their veins. Others got lost in the enchanting Enchanted Forest and let themselves be carried away by tales of wondrous fairy tales. Everywhere we went, we were easily recognizable with our HeadFirst Group scarves.
Ready for a new chapter in your story?
Can you picture yourself wearing a HeadFirst Group scarf, surrounded by a team that celebrates successes together and inspires and helps each other grow every day? At HeadFirst Group , you’ll have the space to grow, make an impact, and be part of a team where energy and collaboration are key. It’s not a fairy tale, but a place where you write your own story.
Join the HeadFirst Group today!
HeadFirst Group - Best of Champions 2026
This was The Dutch Masters 2026
Team HeadFirst Group
On Thursday evening, the HeadFirst Group – Best of Champions event took place once again in front of a packed crowd at the Brabanthallen. As the main sponsor of The Dutch Masters , we were proud to welcome colleagues, freelancers, suppliers, and other business associates to our HeadFirst Group Lounge. Everyone caught up, laughed, and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, even before the horses entered the arena.
Talent Room
In addition to the lounge, the main program took place in the HeadFirst Group – Talent Room. Pieter van den Hoogenband spoke about his journey to the top and his current role as chef de mission, in which collaboration is crucial. Jesse Dercksen (sports psychologist at PSV) took the audience inside the minds of elite athletes, while Anky van Grunsven shared her insights on the similarities and differences between humans and horses. Jan Roelfs served as the day’s moderator and brought all these stories together into an inspiring whole about talent development, collaboration, and adaptability.
Back-to-back for Willem Greve
Then it was time for the main act: HeadFirst Group – Best of Champions. In this spectacular event, riders ride each other’s horses and have only a few minutes to get a feel for the course and the horse. Willem Greve once again proved he is the master, completing four clear rounds and thereby defending his title, while Richard Vogel, Julien Epaillard and Gilles Thomas provided an exciting battle.
The best part of the evening? Colleagues, partners, and clients all together, chatting in the lounge, and the enthusiasm with which top athletes shared their experiences and demonstrated how teamwork, adaptability, and talent development work.
At HeadFirst Group, we view our daily work as a top-level sport. Inspiring stories, craftsmanship that leaves a lasting impression, and energy that could be felt in every corner of the Brabanthallen. From casual conversations over drinks to the adrenaline rush of the Best of Champions competition, this was an evening that demonstrated why sports and HeadFirst Group are such a perfect match.
Become part of a team that wants to get better every day, just like in elite sports.
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
Taking a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life withTeam HeadFirst Group . Last week, we went on a trip with the Topsport Community Playground into Amsterdam’s iconic Olympic Stadium for an afternoon centered on trying, falling, learning, and growing. Reconnect with your inner child.
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.
