Former Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende has joined Hague Corporate Affairs, an international Public Affairs and Strategic Communication agency with offices in Brussels, The Hague, Amsterdam and Paris. In his role as Associate Partner, he will provide strategic advice on European and geopolitical developments to clients, working mainly from Hague’s EU office in Brussels.

Prof. dr. Jan Peter Balkenende (65) was Prime Minister of the Netherlands between July 2002 and October 2010. He presided over four cabinets and was deeply involved in EU-policies as a Member of the European Council. After his political career, he devoted his time and energy to the issue of sustainability and circular economy on a national and international level. Balkenende was Partner Corporate Responsibility at EY and currently External Senior Advisor to EY. He is professor in Governance, Institutions and Internationalisation at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, chairman of the Dutch Sustainable Growth Coalition and member of the Club de Madrid, the organisation of former heads of government of democratic nations.

Balkenende: “In a number of sectors major transitions are taking place, like climate change, energy, circular economy and implementations of the SDGs. At Hague, I want to commit myself mainly at European level with companies and organisations to reflect on the implications of those transitions and to provide advice on strategic choices to make. Those choices can touch upon own core activities but also on relevant partnerships. I look forward to these contacts and to cooperating with my new colleagues at Hague.”

During its six-year existence, Hague has grown into a thriving European agency that advises clients on a range of issues, mainly on the major transitions in energy and sustainability, food, technology and health. Many companies in Brussels and other European countries seek to be part of the far-reaching goals of the European Commission, laid down in the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy.

Attilio Caligiani, Partner of the Brussels office of Hague Corporate Affairs: “We are very honoured that Jan Peter Balkenende has chosen to join us. With his knowledge and experience in Europe and globally we can further strengthen our advice to clients. He feels at home in Brussels and has expertise in the great challenges of our time: creating a sustainable economic system and socially responsible businesses.”