Encon in the Top 10 Best Workplaces 2026: 6th place among Belgium’s best employers
On 10 March, sustainability consultancy Encon was named one of Belgium’s Best Workplaces 2026 in the small businesses category. At the official Great Place to Work® Belgium awards ceremony, organised in collaboration with Vlerick Business School, Encon was awarded 6th place. This means the company ranks among the top ten best employers in Belgium in its category.
The ranking is compiled on the basis of an extensive employee survey and an analysis of the HR policies of participating organisations. The recognition is largely based on feedback from the employees themselves and measures, amongst other things, trust, respect, honesty, pride and collegiality within the organisation. For Encon, this recognition is the result of more than twenty years of building an organisation with a clear purpose, a strong culture and a distinct focus on people development.
A purpose-driven company in a complex world
This recognition comes at a time when sustainability is under pressure internationally. Geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and international conflicts mean that sustainability is once again at risk of being sidelined within some organisations. For Encon, this is precisely why it is sticking to its original mission.
“We started out at a time when sustainability wasn’t yet on companies’ agendas”
says founder and CEO Robin Bruninx.
“In the beginning, it was like missionary work. Today, we see that sustainability has become a genuine licence to operate for companies. Those who fail to get on board will lose their competitive edge. But those who use it wisely can actually emerge stronger as a result.”
Profitable sustainability
Encon positions itself in the market with a clear message: sustainability can only succeed if it is economically viable. “A company is not a charitable organisation,” emphasises Pieter-Jan, managing director, “profit is the prerequisite for being able to invest in environmental and social improvements.” Based on this principle, Encon has developed a vision of sustainability as a balance between three pillars: the economy, the environment and social impact. When these are in balance, an upward spiral is created: economic profit generates resources for sustainable investments, which in turn deliver both economic and social value. It is precisely this principle that Encon describes as ‘delivering profitable sustainability’.
A company with a soul
According to Encon, the key to being recognised as a Best Workplace lies not only in the projects the company undertakes, but above all in the organisation’s culture. Encon describes itself as a company with a soul, where employees are actively challenged to grow and take on responsibility.
Central to that culture is the principle of the growth mindset: the belief that people and organisations can develop continuously. Employees are therefore actively encouraged to take on challenges, give feedback and continue learning. Thanks to this dynamic learning culture, not only do the employees grow, but the organisation grows too. “A growth mindset means assuming that talent is not fixed, but that people can develop through learning, experimenting and receiving feedback,” says Sandra Deraeve, corporate advisor and co-founder of Encon. “At Encon, we constantly challenge one another to improve. That isn’t always the easiest path, but it does ensure that people grow quickly, and as a result, Encon will continue to grow.”
A learning culture that shapes people
Within this culture, employees are given a great deal of autonomy, but also responsibility. Feedback plays a key role in this. Employees are challenged to defend their ideas, question their approach and strive for continuous improvement. This process can sometimes be intense, but at the same time forms an essential part of the company’s learning culture. According to Encon, this approach ensures that employees not only develop professionally, but also grow personally. Moreover, every contribution made by employees has a direct social impact. Projects focusing on energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable strategy help companies reduce their environmental footprint whilst improving their economic performance.
Building a culture over more than twenty years
According to Encon, being recognised as a Best Workplace is no coincidence, but the result of a culture that has been built up over more than two decades. “A strong corporate culture doesn’t happen overnight,” concludes Sandra. “It’s the result of years of building trust, development and collaboration. The fact that our employees feel the same way today is perhaps the finest recognition of all.”
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