Julien Balistreri,
Chief People & Organization Officer,
ETHIAS
Description
Ethias is the third-largest Belgian insurance company. It is recognised for its unique business model built on direct, digital, and public services; the commitment of its 1,900 employees; the trust of nearly 1,240,000 retail clients and more than 44,000 public and corporate customers; over a century of experience; and a solid financial strength. Supported by a robust group strategy, Ethias constantly innovates to create value and address the needs of tomorrow through several ecosystems. With its “phygital” approach and strong sense of social responsibility, Ethias is committed to being more than an insurer: a daily partner, accessible to all.
Interview Questions
1. What values does your company share with a top cycling team like Team SD Worx-Protime?
When I think about what connects us to Team SD Worx-Protime, it’s really this deep alignment in our human values. Those values are not just words on a page; they’re the heartbeat of our company culture. Much like an elite cycling team, we’re all about the power of the collective. Collaboration, solidarity, and shared intelligence push us to tackle challenges, hit new goals, and going the extra mile every day.
In our line of work, just like in cycling, you can’t win on your own. It takes commitment, supporting each other, and this constant drive to move forward and overcome obstacles. We promote an environment where everyone can thrive, grow their skills, find their spot on the team, and get the recognition they deserve.
At the end of the day, it’s a lot like high-level sports. We’re chasing excellence, but not at the cost of meaning. We want everyone to feel motivated, to find purpose in what they do. For us, it’s that sweet spot—balancing collective goals with real, human connection—that makes all the difference.
2. How has SD Worx supported your company’s success?
Back in 2017, we decided to team up with SD Worx as our payroll and HR services partner. Their expertise has really helped us stay on top of all the trends in the compensation world.
What I like about this partnership is that we hear about legal changes the minute they happen and can fold in new ideas for our compensation and benefits—like the cafeteria plan and, more recently, warrants—without missing a beat.
Another big win was when we rolled out this ambitious transformation project in a very tight timeline, completely rethinking Ethias’ remuneration approach. Honestly, it wouldn’t have happened without SD Worx at our side.
This partnership has also helped us digitise our org charts. Now, everyone can see the staffing structure in real time. We’ve also moved parts of our employee file management to self-service. And we’re still working with SD Worx to spot more ways to streamline—whether that’s new collaboration models, better tools, or strategic advice.
3. What mindset do you believe is key to crossing the finish line — in sports or business?
You know, when it comes to crossing the finish line—whether it’s in sports or at work—I’m absolutely convinced it’s all about collective perseverance. Sure, ambition, determination, resilience—those are huge. But what really makes the difference is being able to lean on each other, to build that trust within the team, and to keep pushing forward together, even when things get tough.
You can have all the talent in the world, a solid strategy, and this burning desire to win, but if you don’t have teamwork and can’t lift each other up and stay motivated as a group — you won’t go the distance. Success isn’t about one person going it alone—it’s about that collective dynamic. It’s the support, the commitment, the trust that holds it all together. That’s what keeps us moving and helps us grow.