Maarten Klaassen works closely with clients on C-suite appointments and other critical leadership decisions. Based in Amsterdam, Maarten works with global, listed companies, both within the Netherlands and internationally. He has led numerous assignments in the foods, biotech and agritech spaces, along with board and executive appointments for private equity and venture-backed firms. Maarten is both a member of the Technology and Board & CEO Advisory Partners Sectors at Russell Reynolds Associates. Maarten joined our firm from the Dutch telecom joint venture by Vodafone and Liberty Global, VodafoneZiggo. There he held the title of head of partnerships & public policy where he and his team managed the business impact of regulatory and policy-related issues. Previously, Maarten held positions at the European Parliament, focusing on financing criteria for European funds and leading budget negotiations. He later became responsible for shaping new EU legislation for agriculture and environment, public health, and food safety. He began his career at the oldest current affairs and literary magazine of the Netherlands. Maarten received a BA in philosophy, politics and economics and a BA in history at the University of Utrecht. He earned an MA in philosophy, cum laude, from the University of Amsterdam and an MSc in European studies from the London School of Economics. He is also an alumnus of the United States Department of State Leadership Exchange. Maarten speaks fluent Dutch and English and some German and French.