Speakers

	Mr. Emmo Meijer studied chemistry at the Free University of Amsterdam and gained his PhD in biochemistry in 1979. That same year he joined DSM Research, where he played an active role in innovative fine-chemicals research in various capacities. In 1984 he was appointed part-time lecturer in bioorganic chemistry at Eindhoven University of Technology. From 1989 onwards he became more closely involved in the expansion of DSM's life sciences business in various executive roles ranging from business development to strategic planning and M&A management. Since 1 January 1998 he has held the post of President of DSM Research and in 2001 he was appointed as DSM’s first CTO. As of 1st June 2005 he is Senior Vice President of Unilever responsible for Global Foods R&D and as of May 2008 he is Senior Vice President of Unilever responsible for Global R&D. As of 1st September 2009 Emmo became the Senior Vice President Unilever Strategic Issues reporting to the CEO. He is a president/ board member of various Dutch and European organizations in the field of technology and innovation and an honorary member of the Royal Dutch Chemical Society.
	Mr. Maxime Verhagen, Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (the Netherlands)
	Mr. Jeroen Leffelaar is Managing Director at Rabobank International, the wholesale banking division of Rabobank, focussing on food & agri business internationally. He is a Global Sector Head for major clients in pork & beef farming and meat processing. Solutions offered include financing, treasury, risk management and M&A advisory. Prior to joining Rabobank in 2006, he held various positions in the field of corporate finance and investment banking at a.o. Citigroup and Credit Suisse.
	Ms. Maive Rute studied agricultural economics at the Estonian University of Life Sciences and began her career as Country Director for a US assistance organisation devoted to reforms in agro-food sector. In her home country Estonia she was one of the key persons to build up enterprise and export support system. In July 2009 she took on the responsibilities of Director for Biotechnology, Agriculture and Food research in DG RTD, which includes fisheries and forestry research. The Directorate strives to create a competitive knowledge-base bio-economy in Europe by funding research activities at EU level, coordinating national efforts and facilitating international cooperation. She holds a MBA from Danube University in Austria and Masters in international politics from the University Paris-Sud.
	Mr. Rudy Rabbinge degrees in phytopathology, entomology, theoretical production ecology, and philosophy of science. He is currently University Professor for sustainable development and food security at the Wageningen University and Research Center. Linked to these topics, he is involved in numerous national and international managing and advisory boards of scientific, governmental, social and economic organizations. He served as Senator in the parliament for two full terms and now acts as special advisor of the Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation. He led many missions and agricultural programs in developing countries and served as editor of several journals. He was co-chair of the InterAcademy Panel on Food Security and Agricultural Productivity in Africa. In 2007, he was appointed by the CGIAR as Science Council chair.
	Ms. Alison Austin is an independent consultant working with businesses to put sustainable development issues at the heart of their activities. She has spent 25 years working with Sainsbury’s Supermarkets where she headed up the environmental team for the last 18 years. Over 5 years Alison also led the Sainsbury’s own brand team that developed product policy on health and nutrition, animal welfare, organics and coventional agricultural, ethical sourcing, as well as raw material sourcing (timber, fish, palm oil). She is currently working on projects relating to sustainable agriculture, inshore fisheries, low carbon buildings, renewable energy technologies, environmental labelling and claims with a variety of companies and organisations.
	Mr. Peter Beckers studied Pharmacy at University Groningen, The Netherlands and had executive responsibilities at AKZO NOBEL/Organon in General Management, Marketing, Strategy & Business Development. Nowadays he is a Member of the Executive Board of Directors of VION N.V. and COO of VION Food Netherlands, Germany and International (incl. Oerlemans). VION is a leading Food Group with a turnover of plm EURO 9.0 billion, plm 27.000 employees, more than 160 plants and 20 country offices worldwide. He is also Chairman of the Board of Banner Pharmacaps (USA), Member of the Board of Directors op Top Institute Food & Nutrition, Member of the Board of Directors of Anton Jurgens Institute, Member of the Board of FNLI. He is married and has three children.
	Mr. Lucien van der Hoeven has been General Manager of GfK Panel Services Benelux since 2008. The last couple of years, his focus was on the FMCG divisions of GfK in the Netherlands and Belgium. On GfK European level, as a member of the Consumer Tracking Board, he is responsible for HR and Innovation. Next to that, he is member of the board of Aimark, the marketing knowledge innovators, a cooperation between universities, FMCG manufacturers and the market research industry. Before he started at GfK in 1998, he was General Manager of CTG Netherlands, at that time one of the bigger ICT consultancy companies in Europe and the USA. He studied Dutch Law at the Erasmus University and graduated as Master of Marketing at the TIAS-Nimbas business school.
	Mr. Marc Jansen graduated in Zootechnology at the Agricultural College Dronten in 1990. In 1994 he graduated in Economics at Wageningen Agricultural University. After his graduation he joined the branch organization for Wholesale Trade in Dairy products as secretary. From 1998 till 2002 he was secretary Dairy Farming and member of the policy staff Livestock at LTO-Nederland, the National Farmers Organization. His current position is Director Consumer Affairs and Quality at the Dutch Food Retail Association CBL (Centraal Bureau Levensmiddelenhandel). CBL represents all supermarkets and foodservice companies in the Netherlands.
	Mr. Bent Dreyer is Director of Research at the Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture (Nofima). He holds a PhD from the University of Tromsø in Strategic Management. He has for more than 20 years studied the seafood industry, how this industry is organized and how different firms perform. The theoretical approaches in his studies are based on economics, industrial organization and strategic management. The research group he currently leads is engaged in research questions such as how to add more product value to sustainable fisheries and how fisheries management impacts on firms financial performance and competitive position in the global seafood market.
	Ms. Sarah Patterson is Fonterra's Trade Policy Manager in Europe, based in Amsterdam. Prior to joining Fonterra in 2006 she was Trade Policy Manager for Meat & Wool New Zealand, the industry- good organisation in New Zealand representing beef and sheep farmers. From 1996 to 2004 she was with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, mainly in the Legal Division working on international trade law issues including WTO dispute settlement. She also had a three-year diplomatic posting to the New Zealand Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. She has a LLB/BA (Hons) from the University of Otago.
	Dr. Seong-jun Cho is a senior researcher Food R&D, CJ CheilJedang (South Korea). He holds a PhD degree from Korea University in Korea in Food & Bio technology and worked at Nestle Research center, Switzerland as of 1999. Since 2003, he joined CJ CheilJedang, the largest Food company in Korea with a turnover of $3.5 billon and has been developing Ripro80™(New protein isolate from Rice bran), NaturePep™ (Nature protein hydrolyaste as MSG replacer) and Soytide™ (Fermented soybean meal as a functional feed).
	Mr. Leo den Hartog became, in 2001, Director of R&D and Quality Affairs at Nutreco and part-time professor at Wageningen University. He graduated in Animal Sciences at Wageningen University, in 1978, where he also obtained his Ph.D. in 1984 on the relation between nutrition and fertility in gilts and sows. In 1989 he received the Henneberg Lehmann award from the University of Göttingen in Germany. In 1999 he got an honorary Ph.D. from the University of Kaposvar in Hungary. His broad experience in animal production is reflected in over 450 scientific and applied articles and 7 books as author or co-author. He gave more than 500 lectures in over 35 different countries for e.g. scientists, advisors and farmers. He was 5 times chairman of Dutch trade missions of the ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality to China, Taiwan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and South Africa.
	Dr. Dick Koelega (1957), studied theology and philosophy and has a PhD in political philosophy. He has organized and moderated many public debates and studies in the field of technology, business and ethics for many years, and published several books and articles on related subjects. In 2002 he started to work as a senior strategy advisor to the minister and board at the Dutch ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, which recently became a part of the new ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation. While facilitating many strategic policy projects, he developed a practical method of strategy development especially for government organisations. He also was involved in the Programme on Sustainable Foodsystems, in which innovations in the production, consumption and substitution of proteins are a central topic of interest.
	Mr. Koen Bouckaert is currently Strategy & Business Development Director of Alpro Soya, a Division of Dean Foods. He joined the Executive Committee as a member since 2002. In 2008 he became Strategic Affairs Director of the European Natural Soy Manufacturers Association. In his spare time he is an active practitioner of mountaineering, expeditions and cycling. He is happily married and father of two children.
	Mr. Reinhart Schmitt oversees Solae's business functions in Europe. He is responsible for customer acquisition, retention and growth in the European region. He is also Vice President of Solae Meat Solutions. Solae is the world leader in developing innovative soy technologies and ingredients for food, meat and nutritional products. Solae provides more than 1,000 products used by thousands of customers in nearly 100 countries around the world. He was formerly global business director of Automotive Plastic Coatings for DuPont Performance Coatings and has held various other positions at DuPont. He earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry and physics and holds a B.S. in chemistry from Justus Liebig University in Giessen, Germany.
	Dr. Tim Finnigan is currently Head of Innovations for the meat free division of Marlow Foods – covering the Quorn brand across 10 countries. He is a Ph.D graduate of the Food and Biosciences faculty of the University of Reading, England and has held innovation roles in government food research, General Foods, APV and RHM. He has been instrumental in the product and technology innovation programs that have helped to establish Quorn as the world’s leading meat free brand. He established and drives a vibrant research and development program as well as a network of key opinion leaders who help share the current hot topics of nutrition research into satiety alongside developing an understanding of the future potential for Quorn in the sustainable diet. He also sits on the advisory board of the centre for food innovation at the University of Sheffield, England.
	Ms. Brigit Hofer is an economist, working for the Swiss Retailer Coop, Department Quality / Sustainability, since 1978. Covering issues like food law, labeling, genetic modification, nanotechnologies and fostering sustainability initiatives for commodities. Working with WWF Switzerland on responsible soy production since 2004. Member of the Eurocommerce working group „Food Policy and Consumers“ and the Swiss Federal Commission for Consumer Policy.
	Mr. John Fagan is recognized internationally as a leading authority on GMO testing, non-GMO certification and sustainability of the food system. He is founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Global ID Group (FoodChain Global Advisors, Genetic ID, and Cert ID), through which he has pioneered innovative tools to verify food safety and sustainability. These tools include DNA tests for genetically engineered foods, the first certification program for non-GMO foods, and the pioneering ProTerra certification program for sustainability and social responsibility in the food and agricultural industries. His expertise is sought globally by industry, government, scientists, and the public, to whom he has presented hundreds of lectures during the last decade. Earlier, Professor Fagan conducted biomedical research at the US National Institutes of Health and in academia. He holds a Ph.D. in molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology (Cornell University).
	Mr. Ronald Visschers (1965) is manager of the Food Quality and Production program of TNO since January 2008. He is responsible for the coordination of the research projects ranging from understanding taste and texture of solid and semi-solid food materials for reformulation purposes to the screening and development of new processing methods for functional health ingredients. The program is executed by more than 40 researchers within TNO and has several national and international collaborative partners. The program assists many companies in developing specific innovations for their products. Before joining TNO he was a principal scientist at NIZO Food research. His main expertise includes protein and polysaccharide structure and functionality, rheological aspects of oral processing as well as flavour release and perception. He is co-author on more than 45 scientific publications and co-inventor of two patent applications.
	Mr. Marco Giuseppin studied biochemical engineering and microbial physiology and received his PhD degree at Technical University Delft. In 1980 he started at Unilever Research Vlaardingen in The Netherlands, where he held various research and research management positions in the field of microbial biotechnology and fermented foods with applications in detergents, food processing, enzymes and flavours. In 2000 he joined AVEBE to lead process research. AVEBE is world’s largest and leading producer of potato starches and potato protein. He has a keen interest to drive innovation on processes and products by applying concepts of sustainability, biorefinery and advanced separation processes. Since 2006 he is Chief Technology Officer of AVEBE and one of the founders of spin-out Solanic, that is now leading in native highly functional potato proteins.
	Mr. Johann Tergesen is the president and COO of Burcon NutraScience Corporation. Since 1999, Burcon (TSX: BU) has been developing Puratein® and Supertein™ canola protein isolates, and CLARISOY® soy protein isolate, which is 100% soluble and transparent in acidic solutions and without the characteristic beany taste of soy. He was previously VP and treasurer of Burcon Properties a real estate company with assets in excess of $3.0 billion. Before joining Burcon, he was in the corporate finance group of Coopers & Lybrand Chartered Accountants. He is a director of the United Way in British Columbia and the POS Pilot Plant in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and a former director and past-chair of the Western Canadian Functional Food & Natural Health Product Network. He holds a B.A. in economics from the University of Winnipeg and an M.B.A. from McGill University, and is a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants.
	Prof. Dr. K.J. Hellingwerf graduated in 1975 with a MSc in Chemistry at the University of Groningen. His specialisations are in Biochemistry and Microbiology. He obtained his PhD at the University of Amsterdam. He is currently Professor in General Microbiology at the University of Amsterdam with a research interests in signal-transduction mechanisms and bioenergetics of pro- and eukaryotic micro-organisms. He is a Member of the E.C. Slater Institute (and subsequently the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences) and of “BioCentrum Amsterdam” (Research School for Molecular Cell Biology), as well as a visiting professor at the University of Buenos Aires. He is a Member of the board of the Life & Earth Sciences Research Council of the Netherlands Organization for basic Research (ALW/NWO), Chairman of the Department of Chemistry, University of Amsterdam, Director of the Research School BioCentrum Amsterdam and Honorary professor in “Physics of photoreceptor proteins”, Department of Biophysics, FEW, Free University, Amsterdam. He is also a Scientific adviser of # Consortium f. elektrochemische Industrie (Munic, FRG); subject: photoactive proteins., Nutricia Research BV (Zoetermeer, Netherlands), Genencore, Heineken Technical Services, RIKILT-DLO, and an external PhD supervisor for project on G-protein coupled receptors.
	Mr. Gerard Klein Essink set up Bridge2Food in 2002. He worked internationally in the food industry for over 25 years after graduating in food chemistry from Wageningen University & Research Centre. He also holds a MBA in Strategic Marketing. His experience lies in business-to-consumer markets as well as business-to-business industries. He fulfilled roles as Vice-President Sales and Business Development Manager with a Pan-European FMCG company (Nestle/Tivall) and General Manager, Global Business Manager, Asia Pacific Marketing Manager as well as Research and Application Manager with the international food ingredient company AVEBE. He started his carreer at Wageningen University as project leader for an EU agricultural policy study on chaptalisation of wine. The Bridge2Food company specialises on organising high quality network meetings on (food) proteins, bridging industry & research. Bridge2Food is also a consultancy company. Gerard is a frequent speaker at Protein Platforms world-wide. The development of a global Protein Innovation Network is one of his current projects at Bridge2Food.

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