Full throttle for professional excellence: Vallei Finance Group brings financial talent together at Circuit Zandvoort

More than 100 hot laps, a packed audience for Tom Coronel and over 100 participants at the Vallei Grand Prix.

Zandvoort, 21 October 2026 – Racing around Circuit Zandvoort at 250 kilometers per hour, getting an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Race Control, and exploring topics such as AI, international business and compliance along the way. It might not sound like your typical event in the financial sector. And that was exactly the point. On Wednesday, October 14th, Vallei Finance Group hosted the first-ever Vallei Grand Prix. More than 100 participants experienced firsthand how professional expertise, entrepreneurship and a healthy doses guts comes together.

Not your typical recruitment event

How do you show people what your organisation is really about? According to Vallei Finance Group, it certainly is not through polished words or a traditional recruitment event alone. In a competitive job market where, financial professionals are in high demand, the organisation decided to take a different approach: invite professionals and students, bring them together and let them experience what Vallei stands for.

And that’s exactly what happened. Participants took to the passenger seat alongside drivers including Tom Coronel, Laura van den Hengel and Marfred de Leeuw. Reaching speeds of around 250 kilometers per hour on the straights, the experience was a highlight of the day for many. In total, more than 150 hot laps were completed.

Those who preferred to keep their feet firmly on the ground could put their skills to the test on racing simulators, the BATAK reaction test or during the tire-changing challenge. Participants also had the opportunity to explore behind the scenes at the circuit, including a visit to Race Control.

Plenty of action beyond the track

The Vallei Grand Prix wasn’t just about fast cars. Between the high-speed activities, there was plenty of room for sharing knowledge, gaining fresh perspectives and connecting with fellow professionals.

Myrna van Tuijl introduced participants to the world of software development and AI. Other sessions covered international business, quality and compliance. And Tom Coronel’s keynote? It drew a packed audience. With stories about ambition, pushing boundaries and constantly striving to improve, he kept everyone engaged.

BusySeasonTalks also joined the action. During a live recording, guests including Tom Coronel and Marfred de Leeuw discussed speed, entrepreneurship and everything that comes with it.

If you say you’re different, show it

“If you say you’re different, you have to prove it and be willing to stand out from the crowd,” said Marfred de Leeuw, founder and managing director of Vallei Finance Group. “That sometimes involves taking risks, but that’s part of being an entrepreneur.”

And that was precisely the thinking behind the Vallei Grand Prix. Through the event, Vallei Finance Group wanted to demonstrate that working in the financial sector is about much more than numbers, regulations and reports. It’s also about collaboration, continuous development, recognising opportunities and occasionally daring to do things differently.

According to Marjon Oosterom, HR Team Leader at Vallei Finance Group, that mindset is also reflected in the company’s culture. “We’re down-to-earth and straightforward. We’re not big on hierarchy.” It’s precisely this informal way of working, combined with the freedom to take initiative, that Vallei wanted potential future colleagues to experience for themselves.

The enthusiastic responses from participants showed that the approach resonated. It wasn’t just the speed on the circuit that made an impression, but also the combination of engaging sessions and opportunities to meet new people.

One participant described the event on LinkedIn as a unique way to put the financial profession in the spotlight. Another called it a day they would never forget.

Expertise with the courage to act

With more than 100 participants, around 40 colleagues involved and a program packed with knowledge, competition and motorsport, Vallei Finance Group looks back on a successful first edition.

And as far as Vallei Finance Group is concerned, the same goes for the other disciplines within the organisation.

About Vallei Finance Group

Vallei Finance Group is an accountancy and advisory organisation that brings together a range of professional disciplines. Through Vallei Accountants, Vallei Audit, Vallei Agri and Vallei Control & Navigate, the organisation supports businesses and other organisations in areas including accountancy, audit & assurance, financial control, business control, business intelligence, business advisory and specialist services.