Welcome to BelgaSearch!

Today we are thrilled to offer you the interview of the two co-founders of the new life sciences specialized recruitment firm, BelgaSearch. Here below, you’ll find more information about the cooperation of Cédric de Groulard (CDG Conseil’s CEO) and Jan Derks (Derks & Derks’ CEO) on this launch.

 

Can you tell us more about your new project: BelgaSearch?

Jan Derks (JD), Derks & Derks’ CEO & BelgaSearch’s co-founder:

“With pleasure! BelgaSearch is the new recruitment, selection and outsourcing agency for the Belgian Life Sciences industry. Cédric and I decided to create this new adventure, because we see huge potential in the Belgian market and because we can support from the north (Netherlands) and the south (France) with the right languages and candidates. This new agency will combine all the knowledge, experience and drive of both Derks & Derks and CDG Conseil. BelgaSeach will also strongly benefit of all INRALS advantages: about 80 consultants in Europe, a worldwide network of candidates and clients and a fantastic atmosphere to grow and deliver.”

Cédric de Groulard (CdG), CDG Conseil’s CEO & BelgaSearch’s co-founder:

“CDG Conseil and Derks & Derks, a Dutch search & selection firm leading the local market in life sciences, have decided to open a new executive search, assessment & outsourcing firm in Belgium. Like our own specialization, BelgaSearch is dedicated to Life Sciences and we are able to assist our future clients throughout all of Belgium, the French part (Wallonia) and the Dutch part (Flanders).”

What is the positioning of the new BelgaSearch agency?

CdG: “With Jan Derks, founder of Derks & Derks, we want to have a similar approach to ours for the Belgium market. To provide full HR services such as recruitment, assessment, outsourcing and interim management to our client experts in Life Sciences who want to develop and attract middle profiles and top managers inside their teams.

We will be able to support all organizations in Life Sciences of any size such as BioTech and MedTech start-ups, big Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices firms and other stakeholders involved in the product life cycle.”

JD: “BelgaSeach will, following the positioning of Derks & Derks and CDG Conseil, focus on the Belgian professionals, middle management, higher management and CEO’s. We are very experienced in finding these candidates and understand our clients and candidates extremely well. The industries we focus on are logically biotech, pharma, medical devices and all related suppliers. In fact, we are going to expand what we are best in to Belgium, supported by our strong INRALS network.”

Why did you set up this new firm in Belgium?

JD: “Cedric and I strongly feel the need for having a perfect member in Belgium. This country is extremely important for both of us. In discussing this, we came up with the idea to develop this agency ourselves: then we are more than sure the company will deliver with high quality and devotion! Our fellow members of INRALS support this step and will help us building the organization.”

CdG: “Once our Belgian partner decided to stop his activities and enjoy his retirement period after having founded and successfully developed Vandycke Partners for 30 years, Jan and I chose to open a joint venture together and use our strengths and our expertise to set up BelgaSearch. The next key step will be the recruitment of our Country Manager in charge of the development of this new agency with a new team including consultants and research associates.

If we have a look at the last “focus on” made by our Belgian INRALS member, the Belgian life sciences industry is very dynamic with a high level of BioTech companies (300) and MedTech (200) including Medical Devices, IVD and E-health organizations. If we add big pharma R&D and manufacturing activities and all academic, research institutes and hospitals we know the high potential of the Belgian area for us.”

Can you tell us more about the INRALS network and your involvement in it?

CdG: “INRALS was founded by Jan and Michel 10 years ago, joined rapidly by CDG Conseil and 22 members around the world the following months and years. We cover all Europe with major local players in our expertise field and we can rely on each of them to help us carry on a successful development in Belgium.

INRALS is a fantastic network and lots of collaborations between members have been a success to assist our clients to source international candidates or expand their activities abroad thanks to the connection with a local player. BelgaSearch will take advantage of it to open new clients and source candidates.”

JD: “INRALS has been established by Michel Vandycke and me. We were collaborating between Belgium and the Netherlands and saw huge advantages of creating a European or worldwide network of strong and independent agencies in Life Sciences. Companies and talent are not restricted by boundaries, our clients like to discuss their recruitment and HR challenges with a party that is the local expert but has a global reach. For us this made sense and since then our network grew to the 22 members and worldwide reach we have now. I am very proud that I could contribute to this dream, that – by the way – is not ready yet: there’s a lot more possible when we as members work together!”

How will you manage this new agency, Belgasearch, in addition to your main practice?

JD: “At this moment we are looking for a strong Belgian gentleman or lady to further set up BelgaSearch. We are sure that BelgaSearch needs a presence on Belgian soil, because of the fact that we need to have a network in Life Sciences. Also the simple fact that Belgians understand Belgians best makes the position of a Country Manager for BelgaSearch logical. Derks & Derks and CDG will support from Holland and France, our network friends of INRALS from all over the world and Europe. We expect to hire the first consultants soon.”

CdG: “At this moment we are looking for a Country Manager to set up BelgaSearch supported in the beginning by Derks & Derks and CDG Conseil from Holland and France. Our respective teams are very enthusiastic to be part of this adventure and help our new neighbour agency.

With around 35 employees at Derks & Derks and CDG Conseil, we are more than ready to assist BelgaSearch.”

👉 If you want to know more about the launch and the story of BelgaSearch you can go on the website: https://www.belgasearch.be/