Team

Friso Coppes

Partner at Bureau Brussels

Friso is our expert on managing relationships with the EU institutions and stakeholders. His career in European Public Affairs stretches well into its second decade. Prior to the creation of Bureau Brussels, Friso was VP Corporate Affairs for Royal Ahold in Brussels. During his work in Brussels, from 1994 on, he refined his value-chain approach to driving the issues. This goes hand in hand with improving the professional image of the company and its executives. The leitmotiv of Friso’s career can best be described as issue-driven liaison management contributing to the ‘licence to operate’ of the organisation.

Rinus van Schendelen

Partner at Bureau Brussels

Rinus is a partner at Bureau Brussels. Thereby, he is also a professor in political science at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. He is specialised in European public affairs and has published over 200 articles and 30 books on this topic. His most recent book concerning public affairs is named ‘the Art of Lobbying in the EU’. As a visiting professor, Rinus lectures at universities in the US, China, the Middle East and Europe. Rinus is also experienced in training organisation, companies and governments on public affairs. Amongst others, Rinus has advised Glaxo, 3M, Philips, Shell, Siemens and ministries of China, Finland, Hungary, Oman and the Netherlands.

Welmoed Neijmeijer

Senior Consultant European Affairs

Welmoed has been working for Bureau Brussels since 2013. She has obtained her Master´s degree in International and European Law and in European Law School at the University of Groningen. She has also studied in Ireland at the National University of Ireland in Galway.

Welmoed has experience in the following areas: payments, taxation, disability rights and healthcare.

Arianne van der Meer

Senior Consultant European Affairs

Arianne has acquired ample expertise in advising companies and public institutions that seek access to European policies and European institutions. Over the years she has built an extensive network. She holds a master’s degree in European Governance at the Utrecht University School of Governance and a postgraduate degree in EU law in practice at the Utrecht University School of Law. In her capacity as founder and director of EU-Advice she established a sound track record in public affairs consultancy for government institutions, associations and businesses.

Lotte Dijkink

Account Executive

Lotte has worked as Account Executive for Bureau Brussels since August 2015. She has a Bachelor degree in European Studies from Maastricht University and a Master degree in European Law from the University of Edinburgh. During her Master, Lotte focused on EU Constitutional Law, EU and International Human Rights Law and EU Labour Law.

Stijn Teeuwen

Account Executive

Stijn became member of our team in March 2017. Previously, he worked at the European Parliament as trainee for MEP Jeroen Lenaers and did an internship at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague. Stijn obtained a Bachelor’s degree in International and European Law, and a Master’s degree in Public International Law at the University of Groningen. He was selected for the Erasmus Law Exchange Programme at Trinity College Dublin. Stijn specializes in International Trade- and Health Law, EU Migration- and Asylum Policy, European Parliament Affairs, and Sustainability.

Thijs van Wonderen

Trainee

Thijs joined Bureau Brussels as Trainee in February 2017. He obtained an LLB degree in International and European Law in Groningen with a minor in Middle Eastern languages. Furthermore, Thijs obtained a certification in Entrepreneurship from the Linnaeus University in Sweden. Thijs will continue to study the LLM International Business Law in August and moreover start the LLM Energy and Climate law at the University of Groningen.

Elia van Bergen

Trainee

Elia joined Bureau Brussels as Trainee in February 2017. She has a Bachelor’s degree in European Studies from Maastricht University and a Master’s degree in International Security from the University of Groningen. During her Master Elia focused on energy politics and the Middle East and did an internship at the Dutch Embassy in Brussels.