Vlerick Business School confirms its #1 position in the Benelux 

Marion Debruyne, Dean of Vlerick Business School, says: “The world isn’t slowing down, and neither can we. Technological disruption, geopolitical uncertainty, accelerating change: these aren’t background conditions anymore, they’re the job. And that’s precisely why executive education matters more than ever. What leaders need is the ability to adapt, to lead through transformation, and to create meaningful impact. Vlerick learning stays close to the reality of what leaders are actually facing, combining the best of research and practice to give professionals and organisations the confidence to act.” 

FT Executive Education 2026 Ranking  

The Financial Times Executive Education ranking evaluates the world’s leading providers of executive education across two categories:  

• Open programmes for executives and entrepreneurs  
• Customised programmes designed for organisations  

Rankings are based on feedback from individual participants and corporate clients, who assess criteria including course design, learning impact, teaching methods and aims achieved.  

Open executive programmes 

Number one in Belgium and the Benelux, Vlerick Business School remains among Europe’s leading providers of executive education for open programmes, ranking 23rd in Europe and 35th worldwide in this year’s Financial Times Executive Education ranking.  

Vlerick performs particularly strongly in: 

• Worldwide: Follow Up (#17), New Skills & Learning (#34) and Aims Achieved (#33) 
• In Europe: Follow Up (#14), New Skills & Learning (#20) and Aims Achieved (#20) 

Professor Carine Peeters, Head of Open Executive Education at Vlerick Business School, says: “I am delighted with these results because they reflect the dimensions that lie at the heart of what we stand for at Vlerick. We want to help participants achieve their goals and create meaningful change in their career or organisation. That means equipping them with the most relevant skills to succeed in a continuously evolving world. Our participants don’t just leave with new insights, they leave with practical tools and frameworks they can immediately apply at work, a trusted network of peers, and the confidence that Vlerick will continue to support them throughout their development journey. This has always been our North Star, and it will continue to guide us as we help more people take their next leap.” 

Customised executive programmes  

Number one in Belgium and the Benelux for customised executive education, Vlerick Business School continues to perform strongly in this year’s Financial Times Executive Education ranking, moving up one place to rank 26th in Europe, and remaining 36th worldwide. The ranking recognises the world’s leading providers of customised executive education programmes for organisations. 

The results for customised programmes reflect continued demand from organisations investing in lifelong learning to continuously develop their workforce, stay relevant in a rapidly changing environment and build future-ready capabilities through tailored learning journeys. 

Vlerick performs particularly well in: 

• Worldwide: Teaching Methods and Materials (#28), Faculty Quality (#30), Post-Programme Follow Up (#28) 
• In Europe: Teaching Methods and Materials (#22), Faculty Quality (#24), Post-Programme Follow Up (#24)  

Martin Weiss, Director of customised programmes at Vlerick Business School, says: “Organisations today are navigating transformation across multiple fronts - from digitalisation and AI to shifting workforce expectations and economic uncertainty. In that environment, executive education needs to create tangible business impact. At Vlerick, we design customised learning experiences that are deeply connected to the realities organisations face today – helping leaders accelerate transformation, strengthen capabilities and tackle critical strategic challenges. Our continued recognition in the Financial Times Executive Education ranking is especially meaningful because it reflects the trust and feedback of the organisations we work with every day.” 

Executive Education for a changing world  

In a business environment shaped by rapid technological change, geopolitical uncertainty and increasing pressure on leaders, executive education is becoming more critical than ever. Organisations are investing in leadership, digital transformation and future-focused capabilities to remain competitive.  

Vlerick’s executive programmes combine academic rigour with practical application, helping professionals and organisations translate new insights into real-world impact.  

Vlerick Business School continues to invest in future-focused learning experiences that combine academic excellence with practical business relevance.