CEO Rik Vandenberghe on a digital ‘speed date’ with entrepreneurial youth

BESIX Group CEO Rik Vandenberghe engaged in a digital one-on-one conversation with one of the 100 youngsters of the ‘100x100 speed dates’ on Monday afternoon. The virtual get-together was an initiative of the entrepreneurs’ network Voka, the organisation dedicated to granting young people A Seat At The Table (ASATT) and the science and technology centre Technopolis. Refreshing insights about the future and entrepreneurship were discussed from diverse backgrounds.

“Where did you start your career?” “How do you see the future for BESIX?”

These are just a few of the questions Henri Luwaert (22 years old) asked Rik Vandenberghe as part of the '100x100 speed dates'. At the same time, 99 other prominent business leaders, politicians and rectors sat down in front of the webcam for an hour to exchange views with mainly young people in their twenties.

The initiative therefore aimed to initiate a unique dialogue on both sides of the screen. The top businessmen and politicians asked about the future plans of the young people and obstacles they were facing, while they in turn were challenged about the social role of companies. Such topics were also discussed at the BESIX Group headquarters in Brussels: "What skills do you want to sharpen? What impact has the lockdown had on you over the past year?"

An initiative that promotes inclusive entrepreneurship such as this can absolutely count on our cooperation. It gave me a unique insight into the world of a future young entrepreneur like Henri. His enthusiasm and curiosity assured me that there is a promising generation ready for the future and that it is our role as a company to provide those opportunities. - Rik Vandenberghe, CEO BESIX Group

Read more about this initiative here (Dutch): https://www.voka.be/nieuws/100x100-gesprekken-tussen-ceos-en-jongeren