Business review

Clear tech roadmap

2024 marked a year in which our digital transformation took deeper root. Our ambition to be a leading HR tech platform, seamlessly connecting technology and human touch, became tangible through our Striive platform. After years of development, nearly all brands, independent professionals, and suppliers have successfully migrated to the platform, making it the beating heart of our operations.

The user experience was further optimised with new features such as the CV-check, which uses AI and text analysis to compare candidate profiles with assignments—resulting in faster placements and better matches. The user interface was redesigned, navigation simplified, and overall performance improved.

Another key milestone was the launch of the Supplier Hub, specifically designed for suppliers working through our platform. Here, they gain access to valuable insights, dashboards, and support for their commercial and operational processes. This underlines our ambition for structural collaboration within a partner ecosystem.

To enhance internal processes and client engagement, HubSpot was rolled out as the central CRM system. Sales, service desk, and marketing now operate from one shared environment, enabling better campaign tracking and faster response to client inquiries. Additionally, we laid the foundation for bid management automation with tools like Altura, aiming to streamline the entire tender process.

These improvements form the foundation for international scalability, which is becoming more tangible through our integration with Impellam. Our tech infrastructure is designed for multi-market deployment, with a focus on local compliance, multilingual support, and scalable cloud architecture.

Data-driven organisation

Aligned with our strategic pillar "Get the organisation ready," we continued investing in strengthening our data foundation in 2024. We expanded our group-wide data lake, unifying data from all labels. Building on this, our BI team developed advanced dashboards that provide real-time insights for sales, delivery, and operations—including funnel metrics, margin evolution, and customer satisfaction.

The integration of marketing and sales funnels within HubSpot enabled consistent reporting, improved conversion tracking, and strengthened the grip on the end-to-end customer journey. Client owners now access comprehensive Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) dashboards to steer their strategy.

New benchmarking tools were also developed for independent professionals and suppliers. Professionals can assess their market value based on real-time rate comparisons, while suppliers receive insights into their placement ratios and margin performance relative to peers. These insights are not only applied for operational improvements but also serve as a foundation for strategic decisions in pricing, propositions, and customer approaches.

Next-level services

Our ambition to be the lifelong career partner for independent professionals took further shape in 2024. As part of our growing Solutions Hub, we made our services available to professionals regardless whether they currently have an assignment through one of our brands. This means we can support them in every stage of their career.

A key addition to this hub is our collaboration with Inuka Coaching, enabling professionals to complete a self-scan that offers insight into their mental wellbeing and work-life balance. Based on their outcomes, they can opt for individual coaching programmes—helping us deliver not just assignments but also development and support.

For suppliers, the Excellent Partner Programme (EPP) was significantly expanded. This programme offers preferred partners access to market analysis, recruitment campaigns, smart matching tools, and dedicated support. With subscription models and performance-based incentives, the focus is on sustainable placements. Many top-tier suppliers are now part of this programme, and several long-term unemployed professionals secured new assignments through this route.

We also took proactive steps in compliance. In preparation for the end of the enforcement moratorium, we hosted multiple webinars, published whitepapers, and organised sessions to guide clients through the nuances of contract forms, risk analysis, and legal considerations. This reinforces our role as a knowledgeable and trusted guide in a complex regulatory environment.

Leading platform in the Benelux

As the largest independent talent solutions provider in the Benelux, we continued to build our leadership position. The Striive brand received a complete visual refresh, launched through a cross-media campaign that firmly positioned Striive as an end-to-end platform solution.

Our physical presence was strengthened as well, with hubs in the Netherlands and Belgium redesigned to foster collaboration between teams. In Hoofddorp, the finance, contracting, and service desk teams are now co-located, improving synergy and process efficiency.

Our physical presence was strengthened as well, with hubs in the Netherlands and Belgium redesigned to foster collaboration between teams. In Hoofddorp, the finance, contracting, and service desk teams are now co-located, improving synergy and process efficiency.

On the commercial front, we saw clear results from our value proposition. We won and renewed contracts with key clients including SVB, Enexis, Logius, SSC-ICT, HR Mantel Defensie, Municipality of Deventer, and AFM. New clients such as ARAG, Lamb Weston, Van Lanschot Kempen, and VWPFS joined us. Upsell was achieved with ASML, VU, and Deloitte. This blend of new client partnerships and deepened client relationships is a testament to the trust in our solutions.

Expansion into European markets

The acquisition with Impellam Group and the creation of HeadFirst Global PLC marked a new chapter in our international growth journey. This strategic move created a player with over €8 billion in managed spend and a robust presence across Europe, the UK, North America, and the APAC region.

In 2024, we focused on preparing for this scale-up. Joint workstreams—including ‘Customer’, ‘Communications’, and the ‘Up Next Accelerator’—brought colleagues from both organisations together to align propositions, processes, and technology. This created tangible synergy opportunities like cross-selling services and unified key account strategies.

The scalability of our tech stack played a central role in this strategy. Applying the blueprint from HeadFirst Group, we developed generic modules for contracting, supplier onboarding, and compliance, designed to be locally applicable across global markets. These modules were successfully piloted in Belgium and will be rolled out globally in 2025.

ProUnity, active in Belgium and the Netherlands, recorded strong commercial growth. Their mobile app—expanded with timesheet, invoicing, and profile management features—is now used daily by thousands of professionals. On the client side, they achieved new successes with contract extensions at federal and local government levels, including Banque Centrale du Luxembourg (BCL). 

OpenTalent expanded its network to 29 European countries and strengthened ties with local recruiters. Improvements to the talent pool functionality now allow clients to source directly and efficiently. As a result, OpenTalent is increasingly becoming a key player in pan-European sourcing. Today, we are ready for global roll-out!

Great place to work

Our culture is the backbone of our organisation. In 2024, this was recognised once again with our placement in the Top 10 Best Workplaces in the Netherlands and renewed certification as a Great Place to Work. Rising employee satisfaction confirms that our people feel connected to our mission, values, and work culture.

We invested actively in vitality, mental wellbeing, and professional development. Through initiatives like our Vitality Week, subsidised sports memberships, bootcamps, yoga classes, and walking sessions, we promoted a healthy work-life balance. Our collaboration with Topsport Community provided colleagues with new perspectives on resilience, energy, and performance. We also organised inspiration sessions, including leadership masterclasses and webinars on AI and cognitive flexibility.

New colleagues were welcomed with an enhanced onboarding experience. In line with our brand promise 'Join the next world of work', they explored our mission in a playful and engaging way through a custom-built escape room experience. We also celebrated our success with events such as the Night of the Stars, HFG Summer BBQ, and group participation in sports events like the Dam tot Damloop run.

We remained committed to social responsibility. Through the HFG Foundation, we supported initiatives such as TechMeUp, JINC, and Eden Projects—connecting our growth with societal impact.

2024 was a year of progress on all fronts: technology, customer value, international scale, and above all, human capital. We are ready for the next step in our evolution—as a platform, as a partner, and as an employer. Together, we are shaping the future of work.

B Corp Certification

Our B Corp Certification is a recognition of our commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical entrepreneurship. With this achievement, we join a global network of companies dedicated to creating both economic and social value.

The B Corp certification is awarded to companies that meet high standards in social and environmental impact, transparency, and governance. This recognition aligns with our sustainability strategy, focused on making a positive impact on people, society, and the environment. After earning a gold EcoVadis rating, the B Corp certification marks a new step in our journey towards responsible business practices.

Sustainability as a core value

Sustainability is an integral part of our operations. We have comprehensive CO₂ reduction targets and reduction initiatives in place to reduce our carbon footprint. We aim to achieve net zero by 2040. Additionally, we involve 98% of our suppliers in sustainable sourcing practices. We believe that sustainable growth is not only about economic profit but also about improving the world around us.

With a B Impact Score of 90.3, we join approximately 480 other B Corps in the Benelux, including Tony Chocolonely and Triodos Bank. The B Corp certification is a continuous process of improvement, requiring us to review our social and environmental impact every three years.

Overall B Impact Score

Based on the B Impact assessment, HFBG Holding BV earned an overall score of 90.3 out of 200. The median score for ordinary businesses who complete the assessment is currently 50.9.