Our sustainable strategy
Sustainability isn't something you do. It's what you are. Sustainability is in the DNA of everyone working for VK and therefore at the heart of our company. We don't just talk the talk. We walk the walk.
Route 25: a roadmap for the future
Our ambition to become a full lifecycle partner sprang from a fire burning within, from the people working at VK. In 2020, we felt the need to formulate a response to the changes happening in the world. We looked in the mirror, examined our DNA, and assessed what needed to be done. The result was a strategic plan for the next 5 years to come, named Route 25.
Route 25 is our answer to a changing world and the challenges we face. As a community, and as a company. We found this was the beating heart of VK:
Respect and trust. Everything we do is based on those values. In order to have impact, we combine knowledge, passion and a willingness to act. When we design, we always have the wellbeing of the people using the buildings or structures, at heart.
The need to move towards full lifecycle design, came from the desire to ensure this wellbeing, to create truly sustainable buildings and structures. Staying involved in our assets once they’re in use, analysing and gathering data about their performance, not only gives us the knowledge to improve our next project. Full lifecycle design also creates value for our customers and society at large, since it optimises the ecological footprint of our future designs during the whole lifecycle of the asset.
To succeed in doing so, we also need to accelerate the digitalisation of our internal design processes and services. We have the ambition to take up the role of an asset data manager who gathers and analyses the data from all phases of the life cycle and combines them in a Digital Twin. This digital replica of the physical asset continues to collate and integrate all relevant data for use by all stakeholders - and certainly by us – during all lifecycle phases.
To reach our ambition to transform into a full lifecycle partner that ensures the wellbeing of present and future generations, we have one other goal: to become OneVK. Our research has shown that sustainability is prevalent in every team. Now, it was time to join forces and share knowledge across all disciplines, expertise, specialisations and market segments. To fulfil our mission, communication and collaboration are key.
Best Managed Company
Since 2021 we have been awarded with the Best Managed Company label. An achievement we’re quite proud of and consider to be a recognition towards our teams, customers and partners. The Best Managed Companies programme recognises private businesses which set professional standards of business performance. To put it in the label’s words: “They are shining examples of resilient entrepreneurship and sustainable growth, resulting in a positive lasting impact on their own company, and the future of our economy.”
Our management team
Meet the people outlining our strategy and guiding us to 2025.
Paul Corbeel
chief executive officer
Karel Verhaeghe
chief finance officer
Alain Bossaer
chief operating officer
Dirk Slabbinck
chief technology officer
Jaap De Boer
operational director infrastructure
Peter Deneut
director healthcare
David Determe
director buildings
Xavier Giraldo
technical director
Jim Haigh
director healthcare
Sabine Janssens
marketing & communications director
Peter Toulet
director buildings
Veerle Van Geldre
director buildings
Steven Wallays
director healthcare
Acquisitions
To turn our Route 25 ambitions into reality we needed to form alliances. These acquisitions allow us to bring in the needed talent and knowledge to offer full lifecycle services.
DENC, 2022
Visit the website
One Simulations, 2022
Visit the website
Exilab, 2022
Visit the website
Van Looy Group, 2022
Visit the website
AD Architects, 2022
Visit the website
Betic Ingénieurs-Conseils, 2020
Visit website