House of HR · Management Trainee Program · Class of 2026
FIRE STARTERS
We Don't Wait. We Ignite.
🔥
They Threw Us In The Fire
Firestarters · 2026
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FIRESTARTERS🔥THEY THREW US IN THE FIRE🔥WE DON'T WAIT WE IGNITE🔥HOUSE OF HR🔥CLASS OF 2026🔥FIRESTARTERS🔥THEY THREW US IN THE FIRE🔥WE DON'T WAIT WE IGNITE🔥HOUSE OF HR🔥CLASS OF 2026🔥FIRESTARTERS🔥THEY THREW US IN THE FIRE🔥WE DON'T WAIT WE IGNITE🔥HOUSE OF HR🔥CLASS OF 2026🔥
We are Firestarters — 18 hand-picked talents from House of HR's 6,000+ Happy Rebels, selected to be the Class of 2026 of the Firestarter Management Trainee Program.
Over ten months, we were pushed, mentored, challenged, and shaped by the best minds in HR. We didn't just learn to manage. We learned to lead with fire.
This band is our statement. A testament to what happens when you take people who refuse to wait and throw them into the heat. We came out ignited.
18
Firestarters
10
Months Forged
6K+
Happy Rebels
1
Debut Hit
Behind the Band
FORGED IN THE PROGRAM
01
Leadership Skills
Ten months of intensive training with internal and external experts covering all aspects of general management — from finance to strategy to people leadership.
02
Mentorship
Each Firestarter chose a personal mentor from the C-suite of House of HR's PowerHouses. Guided by legends, shaped by real-world experience.
03
Live Projects
Hands-on projects with real business impact, sponsored by the CAO, CEOs and COOs of House of HR's most powerful brands. No theory. Pure fire.
Gallery
BEHIND THE FIRE
Live Experience
GET YOUR TICKETS
Warning: These prices are as hot as we are. You're welcome.
General Admission
Standing Fire
€299
Per person · General Standing
General standing access
Official event programme
Complimentary earplugs (you'll need them)
Digital download of the setlist
Premium
Seated Inferno
€599
Per person · Premium Seating
Priority seated area up front
Welcome drink on arrival
Official Firestarters tote bag
Exclusive signed setlist
Early venue access
VIP
VIP Blaze
€1.499
Per person · Full VIP Experience
Front-row reserved seats
Pre-show VIP lounge with open bar
Exclusive Firestarters bomber jacket
Signed vinyl + band photo
Sound check access
Dedicated VIP host all night
Access to backstage tour (after show)
🔥 ULTRA
Firestarter For a Night
€9.999
Per person · Once-in-a-lifetime
Perform ONE song on stage with the band
Full band dinner the night before the show
Private meet & greet with all 18 members
Customised bomber jacket with your name
Behind-the-scenes documentary footage
Helicopter transfer to the venue
Stay in the official band hotel (suite)
Lifetime honorary Firestarter certificate
All prices exclude service fee, flame insurance, and fire extinguisher levy. No refunds — if you can't handle the heat, get out of the venue. 🔥
🎤 Lead VocalistHouse of HR · Founding Father
DAVID ANGEL
Born: David Engelen · House of HR · Belgium
"He didn't just start the fire. He became it."
🎤
Lead Vocalist
Role in the Band
🔥
Founding Father
Status
🏢
House of HR
Day Job
🎶
1 Hit
Already Iconic
The Man. The Myth.
DAVID ANGEL
Before there was a band, before there was an anthem, before there were 18 rebels in bomber jackets, there was David Engelen — the man who looked at a management trainee program and thought: "We should probably also start a band."
Known to the world as David Angel, his stage name is not an accident. Where most see spreadsheets, David sees setlists. Where others see KPIs, David feels BPMs. He is the beating heart of the Firestarters — part HR visionary, part rock god, full-time Happy Rebel.
His voice — raw, unpolished, and absolutely on fire — is the sound of 18 people who were thrown into the deep end and chose to swim in flames. When he sings "they threw us in the fire," he is not speaking metaphorically. He lived it. He led it. He ignited it.
They gave us ten months, a mentor, and a project. We gave them back a hit single and a tour of Europe. You're welcome, House of HR.
— David Angel, Class of 2026
Off stage, David works at House of HR in Kortrijk — Belgium's most exciting HR group. On stage, he is the founding father of the most unlikely band in corporate history. His two worlds are not in conflict. They are, in his words, "both about igniting people."
THE ORIGIN STORY
👶
The Beginning
David Engelen joins House of HR. Immediately the most enthusiastic person in every room. This will become a pattern.
🧠
The Selection
Selected as one of 18 hand-picked talents for the inaugural Firestarter Management Trainee Program, Class of 2026. Accepts immediately.
💡
The Idea
Month 3. During a leadership session David suggests: "What if we also made music?" Nobody says no. The band is born.
🎤
The Studio
David steps up to the mic. "They Threw Us In The Fire" is recorded in one take. Mostly. Fine, three takes. It was still perfect.
🌍
The Tour
Europe calls. 14 countries. Sold-out shows in Oslo, Stockholm and London. David Angel is now a household name. In his household, at least.
🔥
The Legacy
Founding Father. Lead Vocalist. Happy Rebel. The story is still being written. In fire, obviously.
Backstage Requirements
THE OFFICIAL RIDER
David Angel's official backstage demands. Non-negotiable. For every show, in every country. HR approved.
🍺
Belgian Beer
24 Duvel, room temperature. No substitutes. No Heineken. This is not negotiable. He will know.
🌶️
Spicy Snacks
Minimum 3 types of hot sauce on standby. No mild. No medium. Scorching only. Mirrors his vocal delivery.
🪑
No Chairs
David Angel does not sit backstage. Standing desks only. He is always ready to perform. Always.
📋
HR Documents
A printed copy of the House of HR annual report for pre-show reading. Sources of inspiration vary.
🌡️
Temperature
Dressing room must be set to exactly 26°C. It represents the class year. It is a vibe. It is a statement.
🔥
One Open Flame
A single candle, lit, in the corner of the dressing room. Always burning. Symbolic. Also a fire hazard. He knows.
SEE DAVID ANGEL LIVE
There is only one way to truly understand David Angel. That is to witness him, live, under stage lights, in front of a crowd that didn't expect to be moved by an HR band.
Official Store
MERCH STORE
Wear the fire. Own the flame. Destroy your budget.
New
🧢
Firestarters Cap
Structured 6-panel cap. Embroidered fire logo. One size fits all rebels.
€89
Limited
👕
We Don't Wait Tee
100% organic fire-tested cotton. "We Don't Wait. We Ignite." on the back. Navy/Orange.
€119
Limited
🧥
Firestarters Bomber Jacket
The iconic navy bomber. Orange rib trim. Embroidered logo. As worn by the Class of 2026.
€349
New
🩳
Flame Hoodie
Heavy 400gsm fleece. All-over flame print interior lining. You'll overheat. Worth it.
€199
New
🪔
Firestarters Lighter
Matte black refillable lighter. Laser-engraved fire logo. Ignite your meetings.
€49
📀
Signed Vinyl (Ltd.)
"They Threw Us In The Fire" on 12" orange flame vinyl. Signed by all 18 members. Only 18 copies.
€299
Limited
🔦
Firestarters Torch / Fakkel
Ceremonial torch. Orange flame handle. For those who need to make an entrance. Includes fire gel refill.
€149
⚠️ Danger
🌋
Firestarters Flamethrower
The ultimate statement piece. 3-metre flame range. Custom "Firestarters" engrave. For when a lighter just isn't enough. Not suitable for offices, board meetings or Belgium.
€4.999
All merch ships from Kortrijk, Belgium · Flamethrower not available in all EU countries · By purchasing you confirm you are a Happy Rebel · Prices exclude VAT and flame insurance
