Joost van Willigenburg

CPO / CHRO / Chief People Officer / Chief HR Officer / HR Director

Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands

About

With 15 years of experience across both corporate and scale-up environments, I’m driven by building strong, engaged, high-performing teams. I combine a warm, energetic style with an analytical mindset, staying calm and focused when complexity increases. I believe that truly impactful leadership comes from balancing data-driven decisions with what intuitively feels right. My experience allows me to move seamlessly between the boardroom, supervisory boards, and day-to-day operations, translating long-term strategy into concrete tactics and precise execution. Politically astute when needed and guided by integrity, I keep the bigger picture in sight and help organizations move forward sustainably.

Experience

  • Head of Human Resources international a.i. (5 months) at Action
    Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

    International head of HR for stores, headquarters & supply chain. Scope: 85000 employees in 13 countries. Assignment: Improving employee journey, core KPI's & HR operating model during fast-pace expansion of +9000 employees per year.

  • Human Resources Director at Sligro Food Group
    Apr 2020 - Dec 2025 · 5 yrs 9 mos

  • Atos (4 yrs 8 mos)
    • Human Resources Director
      Nov 2017 - Apr 2020 · 2 yrs 6 mos

    • Head of HR Benelux & Nordics
      Sep 2015 - Dec 2017 · 2 yrs 4 mos

  • HR Director at Marqt
    Jan 2012 - Jan 2016 · 4 yrs 1 mo

  • Sr. Consultant HR at Kirkman Company
    2011 - 2012 · 1 yr