Well-deserved recognition for long-standing commitment
BESIX Group is proud to announce that Geert Aelbrecht, Chief People Officer, Chief Sustainability & ESG Officer, and Head of QHSE, has been named CHRO of the Year 2025 at the prestigious HR Excellence Awards.
This award recognises Geert's outstanding leadership and long-standing commitment to placing people, purpose, and performance at the heart of BESIX Group’s success across 26 countries and a workforce of more than 11,000 employees.
With over 18 years of experience at BESIX, Geert has played a central role in redefining the company’s People Strategy, transitioning from a traditional HR model to a human-centred, inclusive and future-focused approach. Under his leadership, BESIX has been recognised six years in a row as a Top Employer, boasting an employee satisfaction rate of 90% and a remarkably low voluntary turnover rate of just 8%.
#WeCare and other initiatives
“People are not resources; they are individuals with talents, needs, and aspirations,” Geert states. This philosophy is embedded in BESIX’s #WeCare policies on well-being, inclusion, psychological safety, flexible rewards, and lifelong learning. From launching mental health support systems to championing sustainability and human rights on global projects, his impact extends well beyond the boardroom.
Key initiatives from the People departments under Geert’s leadership include:
- A holistic well-being programme including psychological support, preventive healthcare, and employee assistance services.
- A pioneering diversity and inclusion strategy, resulting in 30% female representation, revised parental leave policies, and increased diversity across all functions.
- Groundbreaking advocacy for human rights in global operations, including transparent dialogue and partnership with international unions on worker welfare in the Middle East.
BESIX’s ESG and sustainability agenda
In parallel with his People responsibilities, Geert has also led BESIX’s global ESG and sustainability agenda, aligning business practices with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and reinforcing the Group’s social impact through initiatives like Mobility Month, World Environment Day, and the BESIX Foundation.
BESIX Group CEO Pierre Sironval commented: “Geert’s leadership has transformed the way we think about people and purpose in our business. He has helped position BESIX as a responsible and future-ready player on the global stage.”
Geert’s leadership, combined with his personal integrity, strategic insight and drive for progress, makes this award a fitting recognition of his contribution, not just to BESIX, but to the broader People community within BESIX Group, and ultimately to the construction industry landscape.
