CHRO of The Year Award

Monday, November 23, 2026 | Spoorwegmuseum, Utrecht

Nominate the CHRO of the Year 2026

The CHRO of the Year Award celebrates outstanding HR leaders who make a strategic and lasting impact on their organizations and beyond. We recognize CHROs who demonstrate visionary leadership, drive innovation in people strategy, and contribute meaningfully to business success and society.

Do you know a CHRO who deserves this recognition? Put them forward and help us spotlight exceptional leadership in HR.

Nominate the CHRO of the Year 2026 by clicking the button below before 16 May 2026.

Nominate the CHRO of the Year 2026

Jury 2026

The jury for the CHRO of the Year Award 2026 Thomas Mulder (CEO at Archipel Academy), Caroline Tervoort-Visser (Partner People & Culture Strategy at KPMG Netherlands), Poléanne Vluggen (Chief People and Culture Officer at Vebego Group) and Edyta Jakubek (Chief People Officer at ASM) is ready to review this year’s nominations.

All jury members have been awarded for the CHRO of the year title in their current of past CHRO roles. 

What criteria does the jury use?

The main criteria are: Social Impact, Business Impact, Inspiration, and Innovation.
In concrete terms, the jury is looking for HR leaders who:

  • Base their HR strategy on innovative methods, ideas, tools, and forms of collaboration;
  • Inspire their environment, organization, and external stakeholders through their approach;
  • Demonstrate measurable positive impact on organizational goals through their innovative and inspiring HR strategy.

In addition, eligible CHROs must:

  • Hold an independent and autonomous HR leadership position (CHRO, HR Director, or HR Executive) within an organization with at least 2,000 employees;
  • Be based in the Netherlands and have been in their current role for at least two years at the time of nomination.

CHRO of the Year Award 2026

Innovation, inspiration, and impact. These are key qualities that define the work of leading CHROs. The CHRO of the Year Award recognizes those who embody these qualities and celebrates their achievements. This recognition not only honors their work but also inspires other CHROs and emerging HR talent to take action. The winner will be announced during the plenary closing of CHRO Day 2025 on 23 November 2026.

Want to know more about the CHRO of the Year Award?
Discover everything about the selection process, past winners, and what makes this recognition so special.