Hans is a seasoned political communications advisor and author of a recently published book called “The Strongmen” about international politics.

He was a political adviser at the European Commission between 2000-2005, working as an aide to Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes and Internal Market and Taxation Commissioner Frits Bolkestein.

During his time at the European Commission, Hans worked on a wide range of regulatory and industrial policies, including intellectual property rights, services markets, the digital economy and fiscal policy.

He went on to become a Partner in a market leading Brussels-based public affairs consultancy. In that position Hans advised numerous senior executives and politicians on their relations with the EU institutions and European media. He advised governments in Eastern Europe and the Middle East on foreign direct investment strategies and trade, counselled businesses on the regulatory clearance of acquisitions and worked with leading American tech firms in areas of antitrust, privacy and data.

Before moving to Brussels, he lived and worked in London, where he obtained a PhD from the London School of Economics. Hans speaks English, German and Dutch.