KMSKA x SD Worx: the human dimension in innovation and art
KMSKA and SD Worx share more than just their Antwerp roots. In a renewed partnership, the European market leader in HR & payroll and the museum meet around a shared ambition: pioneering innovation and making art accessible to the society of tomorrow. We spoke with Jan Van Mol, Managing Director Belgium (SME) at SD Worx, about the power of social relevance and the parallels between tech and tradition.
A Belgian flagship with European wings
For SD Worx, extending the partnership with the KMSKA is a deliberate choice for continuity. Although the group now operates in 27 countries and aspires to become the undisputed European number one in payroll and HR, the heart of the organisation remains in Belgium.
“We are originally a Belgian, even Antwerp-based company,” says Jan Van Mol. “Our headquarters are also located here. That combination of international reach and strong local roots is something we also recognise in the museum. Just as SD Worx connects across borders, the KMSKA is constantly in dialogue with international networks to exchange major artworks. That interplay between being locally anchored and internationally excellent creates a bond.”
State of the art
A striking parallel between KMSKA and SD Worx lies in their drive for innovation. Jan Van Mol explains: “You can compare it to technology. On the one hand, you have the museum’s ‘hardware’: the building itself, which has been spectacularly transformed into the state-of-the-art gem it is today. On the other hand, there is the ‘software’: the content processes and programming, and more specifically the innovative projects the KMSKA team develops to present art in original ways and reach new audiences.”
Van Mol does not choose this metaphor by chance. At SD Worx, that pioneering spirit translates into tech solutions that allow clients—employers across Europe—to experience optimal service. “Just as the museum constantly seeks new ways to unlock art, we continuously strive for innovation in our tools and customer services. We aim to lead the way in HR, time, and payroll. At the same time, we combine services in ways others cannot. We recognise that same pioneering role in the museum.”
Art as a social driver
For SD Worx, the partnership is fully part of its corporate social responsibility. The museum is a place where art is democratised, and that resonates strongly with the company.
Jan Van Mol: “Art contributes to society. We also have our own art collection, which we regularly lend out to be shown to as many people as possible. By supporting KMSKA, we give the museum additional strength to make its collection known to a broad audience. The fact that the museum offers depth to people who usually have more difficult access to culture aligns with our social vision.”
That vision is also shared with employees and clients. “The nocturnes we can organise in the museum thanks to the partnership are valuable moments. It is wonderful to offer our clients something meaningful that deepens their relationship with us. In June, we will welcome the managing directors from all our 27 countries in Antwerp. A behind-the-scenes tour, including the impressive storage depot, followed by dinner at Madonna (the restaurant at KMSKA, ed.). It is a special way to proudly share our Antwerp heritage with our European colleagues.”
Challenging the status quo
When asked about his favourite artist in the museum, Jan Van Mol immediately points to The Last Day, the large-scale work by Pierre Alechinsky. The Last Day
The link with the CoBrA movement, rooted in Copenhagen, Brussels, and Amsterdam, resonates with SD Worx’s European character. “I am a big admirer of the CoBrA movement, and Alechinsky is a wonderful example of it,” Van Mol says. “What fascinates me is the way they dare to challenge the status quo. It is a continuous questioning between reason and emotion. That courage not to simply follow established paths is a mindset that is also crucial in business. The broader spectrum of Alechinsky’s work, from painting to calligraphy, also reflects the versatility we find throughout the museum.”
