On Monday afternoon, 30 June 2025, we hosted a unique event focused on the future of responsible business in Europe. Together with leading Members of the European Parliament and expert speakers, we explored the evolving legal frameworks, strategic opportunities, and key challenges around sustainability due diligence and corporate governance.
What’s on the agenda?
This event is a unique public-private collaboration between Intire and MEPs from GL-PvdA and D66/Renew Europe. Featuring speakers such as Lara Wolters (GL-PvdA) and Gerben Jan Gerbrandy (D66/Renew Europe), the afternoon will provide direct engagement with the policymakers shaping Europe’s regulatory landscape.
Together, with over 80 fellow professionals, we’ve discuss how companies can move beyond compliance and drive meaningful impact, within their value chains and across society.
Topics of discussion included:
- The Future of Corporate Governance and Sustainability Reporting in the EU
- Omnibus I: Implications for Competitiveness, Sustainability, and Legal Coherence
- Unlocking Opportunities for Smarter, More Effective Reporting
Speakers
Lara Wolters
Member of the European Parliament
- Vice-Chair, Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI)
- Member, Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON)
- Member, Delegation for relations with the United States (D-US)
Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy
Member of the European Parliament
- Member, Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT)
- Member, Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI)
- Member, Delegation for relations with the United States (D-US)
Bastian Buck
Chief Standards Officer at Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
- Leading the GRI Standards Division since 2013.
- Expert in global multi-stakeholder consensus processes.
- Engaged stakeholders on sustainability reporting in 50+ countries.
Panels
The strategic horizon: Responsible business in the long run
Ankie is a leading figure in the Dutch responsible business ecosystem, with deep expertise at the crossroads of public policy and sustainable entrepreneurship. She has held senior roles at Enviu, Procter & Gamble, and IG&H Consulting, founded the Tika Foundation for self-sustaining schools in Nepal, and is part of Paul Polman’s IMAGINE leaders cohort.
Angélique Laskewitz is Executive Director at VBDO and has held various leadership roles in change management, compliance, HR, and governance at major financial institutions including BNP Paribas Fortis and ASR Netherlands. As a sideline she started her own consultancy practice.
Hedwig leads Fugro’s global sustainability strategy and previously directed KLM’s sustainability agenda. She brings deep expertise in ESG leadership and impact-driven transformation across complex organizations with a focus on climate, innovation and responsible business growth.
Harald leads the Circular Economy and EcoDesign Programs at Philips. He brings extensive experience in transforming value chains to drive down the impact on climate, nature, and the use of scarce materials. Aligning on a common agenda with customers, governments, and international partnerships is a key part of his work.
Making It Work: Lessons from the Field
Jeroen brings a wealth of experience in sustainability and corporate responsibility, currently leading Robeco’s corporate sustainability initiatives and guiding the company toward CSRD-compliant reporting. As a member of the GRI Capital Markets Technical Committee, he actively contributes to the development of GRI sector standards to strengthen sustainability reporting in capital markets.
Andreea is an international human rights and due diligence lawyer with 15+ years of global experience. She helps businesses apply legal standards across supply chains and has worked with institutions like the ECHR and IOM. She holds dual LLMs and is called to the Bar of England and Wales.
Gerard de Leede is Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Solarge, a scaleup in the Netherlands that is developing and manufacturing lightweight circular solar modules based on polymer technology. He is entrepreneur and scientist, with previous roles as CTO of Heijmans and professor Smart Energy at the University of Tilburg.
Sofia brings 10+ years of experience in sustainability strategy, working on climate, biodiversity, water and affected communities. She has supported organizations in setting science-based targets and designing practical transition plans.
Program
13:00 – 13:30 Walk-in with coffee and tea
13:30 – 13:40 Welcome
By the host in collaboration with Wesley Schulte (Partner at Intire) and Lara Wolters
13:40 – 13:50 Opening speech
Lara Wolters – Member of the European Parliament (GL–PvdA)
13:50 – 14:40 Panel 1
The strategic horizon: Responsible business in the long run
- Ankie van Wersch – Executive Director at MVO Nederland
- Angélique Laskewitz – Executive Director at VBDO
- Harald Tepper – Senior Director Sustainability at Philips
- Hedwig Sietsma – Global Director Sustainability at Fugro
14:40 – 14:50 Keynote
Bastian Buck – Chief Standards Officer at GRI
14:50 – 15:20 Coffee break
15:20 – 16:10 Panel 2
Making It Work: Lessons from the Field
- Jeroen Nijhoff – Corporate Sustainability Officer at Robeco
- Andreea Holwerda – Social Due Diligence Expert at Vora Consulting
- Sofia Marrone – Lead Sustainability Consultant at Intire
- Gerard de Leede – CTO & Co-founder at Solarge
16:10 – 16:20 Closing speech
Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy – Member of the European Parliament (D66–Renew Europe)
16:20 – 16:30 Wrap-up
By the host in collaboration with Wesley Schulte, and Gerben-jan Gerbrandy
16:30 – 17:30 Networking reception
Practical details
- Date: Monday, 30 June 2025
- Time: 13:00 – 17:00
- Location: KIT Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam
- Language: This session will be held in English
This event was organised in collaboration with:
