Report on the 2009 Best Innovator Award

On November 25, 2009, the winners and finalists of the Best Innovator Awards Belgium 2009 were celebrated.

The event was hosted by A.T. Kearney's Laurent Dumarest and Peter Van den Brande. They presented the audience with the key insights on innovation management during the economic crisis and importance of sustainable innovation, collected during this year's European competition. During a panel discussion led by Guy Legrand from Trends Tendances and Luc Huysmans from Trends, the large company finalists discussed these issues further and how their respective companies reacted to these challenges.

Guest speaker Vincent Van Quickenborne, Federal Minister for Enterprise and Simplification also provided his perspectives on the future position of Belgian industry in the light of the current crisis, stressing the need for stimulating innovation and entrepreneurship.

Minister Van Quickenborne then handed over the Awards to the winners:



AGC Glass Europe won the Best Innovator Award Belgium 2009 in the category Large companies. AGC Glass Europe was identified by the Jury as an excellent example of how companies active in heavy industries can become innovation leaders. The Award was received by Mr. Alain Jardinet, Vice-President for Marketing & Sales Raw Glass and Member of the Ecexutive Committee, on behalf of Mr. Jean-François Heris, CEO.



Secretary Plus, represented by its General Manager Mrs. Barbara Stadsbader, received the Best Innovator Award Belgium 2009 in the SME category. The Jury recognized the important social and ecological dimensions of Secretary Plus' innovation and praised the ability of Secretary Plus to assess and integrate its clients' and collaborators' emerging needs, and quickly mobilize a product development team in a hitherto traditional industry

Minister Van Quickenborne also handed over three Certificates for Finalists in the Large company category, recognizing these companies' efforts and particular strengths in innovation management. These certificates were handed over to:



3M was identified by the Jury as an excellent example of how appropriate innovation management processes can be used to leverage a very strong innovation culture. Mr. Christiaan Persoons, Senior Laboratory Manager received the Certificate.



The Jury recognized the efforts put in place by Belgacom to organize its innovation management and foster a culture of innovation. Belgacom was represented by Mr. Grégoire Dallemagne, Executive Vice President for Strategy.



The jury especially commended UCB for its efforts in the area of innovation organization and culture management. The Certificat was handed over to Mr. Didier Malherbe, Managing Director UCB Belgium.

You can find more information on the Best Innovator Award Belgium 2009, the winners and the finalists, from the press releases, which you can download here:

English press release 
Nederlandstalig persbericht 
Communiqué de presse francophone 

TV coverage

Dutch language tv broadcasting of Best Innovator Award ceremony by Kanaal Z:     Flash     Media Player 

French language tv broadcasting of Best Innovator Award ceremony by Canal Z:     Flash     Media Player 

Award ceremony impressions



Minister Van Quickenborne underscoring the importance of innovation and the need to invest in R&D



Best Innovator Award winner in the category large companies: Alain Jardinet / AGC Flat Glass Europe, surrounded by Minister Van Quickenborne, Laurent Dumarest and Peter Van den Brande resp. Partner and Principal of A.T. Kearney



Best Innovator Award winner in the category SME: Barbara Stadsbader / Secretaresse Plus, a branch of UGC People, surrounded by staff, Minister Van Quickenborne, Laurent Dumarest and Peter Van den Brande resp. Partner and Principal of A.T. Kearney



All winners and laureates of the Belgian Best Innovator Award 2009: Executives from Belgacom, AGC Flat Glass, UCB, 3M, surrounded by Minister Van Quickenborne, Laurent Dumarest and Peter Van den Brande, resp. partner and principal A.T. Kearney.