Prof. dr. Jan Peter Balkenende 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 has 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 is currently External Senior Advisor to EY. He is also chairman of the Dutch Sustainable Growth Coalition, a partnership of eight Dutch multinationals committed to sustainable growth. In addition, Balkenende is a professor in Governance, Institutions and Internationalisation at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam and a member of the Club de Madrid, the organisation of former heads of government of democratic nations.