=== Early years (1995–2010s) ===
=== Early years (1995–2010s) ===
HeadFirst Group was established in 1995 by Rick Kruiswijk, with [[ING Group|ING]] as its first client. In 2011, the company launched ‘Select’, an online platform designed to manage temporary capacity. The following year, it introduced the Professionals & Partners service, offering tailored support to independent professionals and suppliers.
HeadFirst Group was established in 1995 by Rick Kruiswijk, with [[ING Group|ING]] as its first client. In 2011, the company launched ‘Select’, an online platform designed to manage temporary capacity. The following year, it introduced the Professionals & Partners service, offering tailored support to independent professionals and suppliers.
=== Expansion and acquisitions (2017–2020) ===
=== Expansion and acquisitions (2017–2020) ===
In 2017, HeadFirst Group merged with Source, forming HeadFirst Source Group N.V. The company continued its expansion in 2018 by acquiring Myler and Staffing Management Services. That same year, it exited the stock market and unified its operations under the HeadFirst Group name. In 2020, the group merged with Between Staffing Group, further strengthening its presence in the [[Benelux]] region.
In 2017, HeadFirst Group merged with Source, forming HeadFirst Source Group N.V. The company continued its expansion in 2018 by acquiring Myler and Staffing Management Services. That same year, it exited the stock market and unified its operations under the HeadFirst Group name. In 2020, the group merged with Between Staffing Group, further strengthening its presence in the [[Benelux]] region.
=== Recent developments (2021–2022) ===
=== Recent developments (2021–2022) ===
In 2021, HeadFirst Group acquired Sterksen, positioning itself as a provider of Total Talent Management (TTM) services. The following year, it expanded its technological capabilities and European reach through the acquisitions of ProUnity (Belgium), StarApple, StackOps, OpenTalent, and ZZP365. The company launched Striive, a digital platform brand aimed at direct clients and professionals, to replace their service Select. In 2022, HeadFirst Group was certified as a [[Great Place to Work]].
In 2021, HeadFirst Group acquired Sterksen, positioning itself as a provider of Total Talent Management (TTM) services. The following year, it expanded its technological capabilities and European reach through the acquisitions of ProUnity (Belgium), StarApple, StackOps, OpenTalent, and ZZP365. The company launched Striive, a digital platform brand aimed at direct clients and professionals, to replace their service Select. In 2022, HeadFirst Group was certified as a [[Great Place to Work]].
=== Continued growth and transformation (2023–) ===
=== Continued growth and transformation (2023–) ===
In 2023, HeadFirst Group achieved 21 percent organic growth, reaching €2.6 billion in gross invoice value. The company acquired [[Impellam Group]], forming HeadFirst Global PLC, a global leader in MSP and [[STEM]] talent solutions with €8 billion in managed spending. The group welcomed over 64,000 new professionals and processed more than 51,000 agreements. It was re-certified as a Great Place to Work. In 2024, HeadFirst Group reported a gross invoice value of €2.655 billion. Despite a general market contraction, the company maintained a resilient performance. It launched a redesigned version of the Striive platform and introduced a Supplier Hub to support partners. The company expanded its international footprint, with professionals active in 29 countries. HeadFirst Group became [[B Corporation (certification)|B Corp]] certified and earned a Gold rating from EcoVadis.
In 2023, HeadFirst Group achieved 21 percent organic growth, reaching €2.6 billion in gross invoice value. The company acquired [[Impellam Group]], forming HeadFirst Global PLC, a global leader in MSP and [[STEM]] talent solutions with €8 billion in managed spending. The group welcomed over 64,000 new professionals and processed more than 51,000 agreements. It was re-certified as a Great Place to Work. In 2024, HeadFirst Group reported a gross invoice value of €2.655 billion. Despite a general market contraction, the company maintained a resilient performance. It launched a redesigned version of the Striive platform and introduced a Supplier Hub to support partners. The company expanded its international footprint, with professionals active in 29 countries. HeadFirst Group became [[B Corporation (certification)|B Corp]] certified and earned a Gold rating from EcoVadis.
== Operations ==
== Operations ==
== Leadership ==
== Leadership ==
In 2019, the leadership team included Gert-Jan Schellingerhout as CEO, Mike Korenvaar as CFO, and Geo van der Wilk as CCO. From November 2020 to February 2022, Han Kolff was CEO. By 2022, Marion van Happen has been appointed CEO, with Jan-Pieter van Vreeswijk as CFO and Han Kolff serving as Chairman of the Board. In 2023, Marjolein Slappendel was appointed as CFO. As of 2024, the Board of Directors consists of Marion van Happen (CEO), Willem Verhaagen (CFO), Renger Lammers (CCO), and Arco Elsman (COO). The leadership team has expanded to include directors responsible for data, product, HR, legal affairs, and strategic growth.
In 2019, the leadership team included Gert-Jan Schellingerhout as CEO, Mike Korenvaar as CFO, and Geo van der Wilk as CCO. From November 2020 to February 2022, Han Kolff was CEO. By 2022, Marion van Happen has been appointed CEO, with Jan-Pieter van Vreeswijk as CFO and Han Kolff serving as Chairman of the Board. In 2023, Marjolein Slappendel was appointed as CFO. As of 2024, the Board of Directors consists of Marion van Happen (CEO), Willem Verhaagen (CFO), Renger Lammers (CCO), and Arco Elsman (COO). The leadership team has expanded to include directors responsible for data, product, HR, legal affairs, and strategic growth.
== Corporate structure and subsidiaries ==
== Corporate structure and subsidiaries ==
== Recognition and awards ==
== Recognition and awards ==
HeadFirst Group was ranked second in the Flexmarkt Top 100 Revenue Ranking in 2022, with a revenue of €1.953 billion. It received an EcoVadis Silver Medal for CSR and has been certified as a Great Place to Work every year since then. In 2024, the company earned an EcoVadis Gold Medal and became [[B Corporation (certification)|B Corp]] certified. It was recognised as one of the Top 10 Best Workplaces in the Netherlands and Woman with a 50 percent female leadership ratio.
HeadFirst Group was ranked second in the Flexmarkt Top 100 Revenue Ranking in 2022, with a revenue of €1.953 billion. It received an EcoVadis Silver Medal for CSR and has been certified as a Great Place to Work every year since then. In 2024, the company earned an EcoVadis Gold Medal and became [[B Corporation (certification)|B Corp]] certified. It was recognised as one of the Top 10 Best Workplaces in the Netherlands and Woman with a 50 percent female leadership ratio.
== Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability ==
== Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability ==
HeadFirst Group is an international HR tech solutions provider headquartered in Hoofddorp, Netherlands. The company operates as part of HeadFirst Global, following its merger with Impellam Group, and is active in over 29 countries. It offers a range of services including Managed Service Providing (MSP), Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), and intermediary services for professionals, clients, and suppliers. HeadFirst Group positions itself as a leader in the evolving job market, aiming to create a transparent, inclusive, and tech-enabled ecosystem for talent and organisations. The company focuses on combining technology with human interaction to deliver scalable, compliant, and personalised workforce solutions across Europe and beyond.
Early years (1995–2010s)
[edit]
HeadFirst Group was established in 1995 by Rick Kruiswijk, with ING as its first client. In 2011, the company launched ‘Select’[1], an online platform designed to manage temporary capacity. The following year, it introduced the Professionals & Partners service, offering tailored support to independent professionals and suppliers.
Expansion and acquisitions (2017–2020)
[edit]
In 2017, HeadFirst Group merged with Source[2], forming HeadFirst Source Group N.V. The company continued its expansion in 2018 by acquiring Myler[3] and Staffing Management Services[4]. That same year, it exited the stock market and unified its operations under the HeadFirst Group name. In 2020, the group merged with Between Staffing Group[5], further strengthening its presence in the Benelux region.
Recent developments (2021–2022)
[edit]
In 2021, HeadFirst Group acquired Sterksen[6], positioning itself as a provider of Total Talent Management (TTM) services. The following year, it expanded its technological capabilities and European reach through the acquisitions of ProUnity[7] (Belgium), StarApple[8], StackOps, OpenTalent, and ZZP365. The company launched Striive[9], a digital platform brand aimed at direct clients and professionals, to replace their service Select. In 2022, HeadFirst Group was certified as a Great Place to Work.
Continued growth and transformation (2023–)
[edit]
In 2023, HeadFirst Group achieved 21 percent organic growth, reaching €2.6 billion in gross invoice value. The company acquired Impellam Group, forming HeadFirst Global PLC, a global leader in MSP and STEM talent solutions with €8 billion in managed spending. The group welcomed over 64,000 new professionals and processed more than 51,000 agreements. It was re-certified as a Great Place to Work[10]. In 2024, HeadFirst Group reported a gross invoice value of €2.655 billion[11]. Despite a general market contraction, the company maintained a resilient performance. It launched a redesigned version of the Striive platform and introduced a Supplier Hub to support partners. The company expanded its international footprint, with professionals active in 29 countries. HeadFirst Group became B Corp certified and earned a Gold rating from EcoVadis.
HeadFirst Group provides a range of services including Managed Service Providing (MSP), Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), intermediary services such as matchmaking and contracting, IT talent sourcing, HR consultancy, and Professionals & Partners services. The group operates under several brands, including HeadFirst, Between, Sterksen, Staffing Management Services, StarApple, StackOps, and Striive. Its platforms support AI-powered matching, interactive recruitment, and PowerBI-based reporting. In 2024, the company processed over 54,000 agreements and nearly 159,000 invoices. It welcomed more than 67,000 new professionals and served 536 clients. New digital tools such as Striive’s contracting module and the ProUnity mobile app were introduced. The company also implemented HubSpot CRM and Ratecard for feedback automation and launched the Supplier Hub and CV-check AI tool. The Striive Academy was expanded, and new service packages were rolled out to better support professionals.
Technology and Innovation
[edit]
The company’s digital transformation journey includes the development of proprietary platforms and tools aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and user experience. Key milestones include the evolution from the Select platform to Striive, which offers integrated contracting, compliance, and talent-matching features. The group also introduced AI-powered matching algorithms, automated feedback systems via Ratecard, and advanced analytics through PowerBI dashboards. Mobile accessibility was expanded with the ProUnity app, while the Supplier Hub and CV-check AI tool streamlined partner collaboration and candidate verification.
In 2019, the leadership team included Gert-Jan Schellingerhout as CEO, Mike Korenvaar as CFO, and Geo van der Wilk as CCO. From November 2020 to February 2022, Han Kolff was CEO. By 2022, Marion van Happen has been appointed CEO[12], with Jan-Pieter van Vreeswijk as CFO and Han Kolff serving as Chairman of the Board. In 2023, Marjolein Slappendel was appointed as CFO. As of 2024, the Board of Directors consists of Marion van Happen (CEO), Willem Verhaagen (CFO), Renger Lammers (CCO), and Arco Elsman (COO). The leadership team has expanded to include directors responsible for data, product, HR, legal affairs, and strategic growth.
Corporate structure and subsidiaries
[edit]
HeadFirst Group comprises many entities across Europe, including HeadFirst B.V., Between Staffing Group B.V., Staffing MS, Sterksen B.V., Myler B.V., Jenrick Nederland B.V., Fast Flex B.V., Source Automation, StarApple, StackOps, ProUnity, OpenTalent, and ZZP365. The company maintains offices in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and Poland. By 2024, professionals were active in 29 countries, including India, Brazil, Vietnam, and the United States. The group consolidated its office locations in Brussels, Hoofddorp, Voorburg, and Breda.
Recognition and awards
[edit]
HeadFirst Group was ranked second in the Flexmarkt Top 100 Revenue Ranking in 2022, with a revenue of €1.953 billion. It received an EcoVadis Silver Medal for CSR and has been certified as a Great Place to Work every year since then[13]. In 2024, the company earned an EcoVadis Gold Medal and became B Corp certified. It was recognised as one of the Top 10 Best Workplaces in the Netherlands and Woman with a 50 percent female leadership ratio.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability
[edit]
ESG and Sustainability
[edit]
HeadFirst Group implements a comprehensive ESG framework structured around four strategic pillars. It is committed to the Science-Based Targets initiative and operates a carbon-neutral headquarters in Hoofddorp. The company reports total CO₂ emissions of 841 tonnes, with a temporary increase in carbon intensity, while Scope 3 emissions continue to improve. Forty-five percent of suppliers have signed the sustainability code. The share of electric vehicles in the fleet reaches 19 percent, and residual waste is reduced from 57 percent to 26 percent.
The Professional Services Hub provides a CO₂ footprint calculator for professionals. Nearly 57,000 hours are invoiced through social return initiatives. The gender pay gap among freelancers is narrowed to 4.2 percent. The company maintains a balanced gender ratio and promotes internal mobility, with 61 internal transfers and €363,000 invested in personal development. Through the HeadFirst Foundation, the company has already donated €162,500 to social initiatives.
Employee Benefits and Governance
[edit]
A benefits package and salary framework are in place. HeadFirst Group holds ISO 27001, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 14064 certifications. The company actively engages with policymakers and stakeholders on labour market legislation and compliance.
HeadFirst Group emphasizes creating a positive and inclusive work environment, which has been consistently recognized through its Great Place to Work certifications. The company fosters a culture of trust, collaboration, and personal development, supported by initiatives such as leadership programs, internal mobility opportunities, and well-being activities. Employees benefit from flexible working arrangements, continuous learning, and a structured feedback system. HeadFirst Group also promotes diversity and equal opportunities, maintaining a balanced gender ratio and encouraging career growth for all employees. These efforts have contributed to its ranking among the Top 10 Best Workplaces in the Netherlands.
HeadFirst Group supports diversity and inclusion through its DE&I Taskforce and inclusive recruitment practices.
