Five years ago, An Vuylsteke transitioned from Ingenico to Axepta BNP Paribas, where she took on the challenge of building a new HR structure as HR Manager. Thanks to her background and experience, she now leads a team of two people as Head of HR. In a scale-up, everything still needs to be built. “I found it exciting to set everything up from scratch,” she says. “I enjoy evolving with the needs of the moment and crafting tailored solutions.”

People-first as core value: “We are here for our people”

For An, employee well-being is central. “What matters most is that employees are happy and satisfied, and that they feel good at work,” she says. At Axepta BNP Paribas, she had the opportunity not only to build a new culture but also to foster strong bonds among employees. Continuous training and development are equally vital.

The strength of HR at Axepta BNP Paribas lies in accessibility and engagement. HR must be easily approachable for employees, managers, and even the CEO. The team strives to know all staff, both internal and external, so they can address professional needs effectively. The team’s goal is to ensure everything runs smoothly, whether it involves support, optimization, budgets, or team events.

Every day is different and that’s what makes it exciting. The schedule adapts to what unfolds each morning or throughout the day: supporting a manager or employee, focusing on optimization, managing budgets, or organizing team events; the scope is broad.

A ‘One Team’ Philosophy at Axepta BNP Paribas

Axepta BNP Paribas is still in a dynamic growth phase, where the continuous development of employees is crucial. It’s essential that employees grow alongside the organization, are involved in changes, and that everyone understands why those changes are necessary. In a short time, HR has achieved a great deal. Their leadership philosophy, which they take pride in, is “One Team.”

Employees often tend to work within the bubble of their own teams, but our goal is to break down those silos and encourage close collaboration. For example, during company events, we design activities for mixed groups of people who rarely interact in their daily work. A “One Team” philosophy ultimately leads to greater accessibility and openness among different profiles. It helps employees better understand what their colleagues do and where their priorities lie, encouraging them to reach out to one another and strengthen the internal network. This is where the true richness of our company lies.

Setting the Right Priorities While Staying People-Focused

For HR professionals starting in a scale-up, An advises always setting clear priorities and finding the right balance between the organization’s true needs, the ‘nice-to-haves,’ and, most importantly, never losing sight of the human element. Start with the basics: make sure the HR fundamentals are solid. When the foundation is strong, trust in HR naturally follows. From that trust, you can build out the HR department and move on to the next steps.