People
EPPA’s richness lies in the diversity of expertise, experience and personal strengths of its members. We all share the conviction that the interaction between business and society must be based on a constructive dialogue.
“As the current economic and financial crises push policy-makers towards greater public intervention and ever more regulation, the need to improve the quality of EU law-making and the economic intelligence of the regulatory framework is increasingly important; EU legislation where it is necessary should be better prepared, the fruit of open and widespread consultation, its potential impact thoroughly and objectively tested; it should be clearly drafted, enforceable and enforced; and its performance - its long term effects - should be regularly reviewed. The EU should not legislate in haste and repent at leisure.”
Sir Julian Priestley was Secretary General of the European Parliament (EP) from 1997 until 2007. In his role as Chief Executive of the institution, he was responsible inter alia for organising the policy advice for MEPs and the parliamentary committees, at a time when the legislative powers of the Parliament were being strengthened. He had also to prepare the Parliament for the largest Enlargement in the history of the European Union.
A known advocate for the improvement of the quality of EU legislation, Sir Julian led the administrative negotiations with Commission and Council to prepare agreements on Better Regulation. He reorganised the work of the EP’s committee secretariats to improve assistance to MEPs in their legislative work.
Sir Julian’s wide experience in the EU, and particularly in the European Parliament, has included stints as a member of a committee secretariat (Budgets), head of a secretariat (Energy, Research and Technology), Director responsible for all committees dealing with internal market legislation, and head of the Private Office of EP President (Dr Klaus Hänsch).
His political experience includes a five year period as Secretary General of the Socialist parliamentary group in the EP; and three candidacies for the labour Party in national elections.
A British national, he speaks fluent French, and, on a good day, some German. He graduated from Oxford University (Balliol College) in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. He is a former President of the Oxford Union. He is now a conference speaker, writer and adviser. His book, “Six Battles that shaped Europe’s Parliament” was published in 2008. He was knighted by the Queen in 2007.
“Innovative lobbying is not just about risk management,
it’s about opportunity management.”
Stefan Schepers concentrates on facilitating convergence between public policy and business strategy to create win-win outcomes for both the private and the general interest.
A former Director General of the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) in Maastricht, with over 25 years experience of European Affairs, Stefan Schepers has served both the public sector, as an advisor to the European Commission and various governments, and the private sector, as a consultant to and mediator for leading multinational companies and trade associations.
At EIPA he acquired an intimate knowledge of the complex working of EU institutions and of the compromise building between national governments, each with their own political traditions and economic interests.
He co-founded EPPA and puts his specialist knowledge to use for its clients, having developed an effective alternative to the imported lobbying model, prevalent in Brussels, which is not tailored to Europe’s political traditions and institutional framework. He works for companies in different sectors, achieving measurable results. Having seen many different approaches to influencing European public policy, he concludes that diplomatic, creative compromise building is the most effective method.
Many yeas ago, he fell in love with Africa and now puts his know how also at the service of the African Renaissance, as a partner in AEAC in Johannesburg, a group of leading, African-based consultants advising business and governments about issues of mutual interest for both continents.
Stefan Schepers, a Belgian national, holds Master degrees in Law (University of Leuven, Belgium) and in European Studies (University of Strasbourg, France), and a PH.D. in Political Science (University of Edinburgh, Great Britain). He operates in English, French, Dutch and German and has a working knowledge of Spanish.
“We’re commercial diplomats providing political intelligence”
After working for the European Commission’s External Affairs Directorate, representing them in the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, Renato Addis now acts as a commercial diplomat for business clients. This less abrasive and more sophisticated form of lobbying is informed by astute political intelligence and the recognition that only sustainable agreements serve the long term interest of clients.
Since joining EPPA in 1995, Renato Addis has specialised in highly regulated and complex industry sectors, bridging specific client interests with broader political and socio-economic imperatives. His current activities primarily focus on the chemical, agricultural, environmental, consumer protection and transport sectors.
He has much experience with steering dedicated client-consultant teams in pan-European operations which have delivered solutions for clients active in veterinary medicine, animal welfare, financial services, postal and sports sectors.
Prior to joining EPPA, Renato Addis undertook research and advised a specialised financial services consultancy in the area of EU financial services and published on Single Market issues in general and the liberalisation of the EU financial services sector in particular. He had various assignments related to the EU and Dutch life insurance and pension sector, which involved working with the European Commission and the European Parliament.
Renato Addis holds a Masters degree in International and European Law from Leiden University (The Netherlands) and various additional certificates in Dutch Law. He is fluent in Dutch, English, French and German and his ancestry has also left some Italian.
“Our role is to help clients to develop strategies that build competitive advantage while meeting political and socio-cultural expectations”
Contact Sharon Leclercq-Spooner
Sharon Leclercq-Spooner offers 20 years experience of consultancy, trade association, media and in house corporate work related to EU policy and regulatory developments.
She helps clients to assess regulatory developments and political trends and realities that will affect their business and to develop appropriate responses both internally and externally. She has an excellent track record, especially related to agricultural and trade policy, sustainability in the agri-food supply chain and regulatory issues. Achievements include a major role in getting reform of the EU sugar regime and election to speak for CAP reform on behalf of civil society to the Convention on the Future of Europe – ie the assembly of Europe’s political leaders responsible for drawing up the Lisbon treaty.
She has extensive trade association experience both in sectoral and broad business associations. At present, she chairs the trade and external affairs committee of the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU. Previously held AmCham EU responsibilities include serving on the Board, where she successfully guided the triannual strategic review and integration of a CEO group.
Sharon Leclercq-Spooner is also a founding non-executive director of the now leading EU affairs internet portal EurActiv.Com PLC.
Prior to joining EPPA in 1998, Sharon worked 7 years “in house” at Philip Morris Corporate Services for both food (Kraft Jacobs Suchard) and tobacco interests with responsibility for trade, taxation and agricultural issues. A particularly valuable learning experience came from a 2 year engagement in the co-ordinating body of a pan-European campaign for the wide range of sectors involved in Duty Free.
Sharon Leclercq-Spooner holds a BA Special Honours in European Studies from the University of Hull, UK, and an M.A in International Politics from the Université Libre de Bruxelles. She also benefited from the INSEAD young managers programme, and a “stage” in the European Commission’s Internal Market Directorate General.
She is fluent in English and French and can get by in German.
“In building lasting solutions in multi-cultural environments, it is crucial to understand the mind-set of your interlocutor”
After a career encompassing law and Asian affairs, based both in Europe and in Asia, and globetrotting the world, Pascal Michaux joined EPPA in 1998.
A recurrent theme throughout Pascal Michaux’s career has been the importance of understanding different cultures. It is an approach which delivers workable compromises and allows for effective negotiation in Europe’s culturally diverse political environment.
He specialises in chemical, agricultural, food, transport & energy, financial services and competition issues. He also has tried and trusted experience of managing pan-European operations on behalf of and with client teams.
Pascal Michaux developed his expertise in a Bangkok-based law firm negotiating real-estate transactions on behalf of European clients in former Indochina. He subsequently worked in the European Parliament, supporting MEP members of the inter-parliamentary delegations for Asia, in their political analysis of EU-Asia relations. Pascal Michaux joined the European Institute for Asian Affairs in 1996, assisting the Secretary General and leading political relations with Southeast Asian missions. During this time he was the editor of the first official web site on EU-Asia relations, launched in 1997 and chaired by former Commissioner and State Minister Willy De Clercq and supported by both the European Commission and Parliament.
Pascal Michaux holds a Masters degree in Law from the Louvain Catholic University (Belgium) and a M.A. in Intercultural Management from the ICHEC Brussels Management School, where he specialised in Asian management cultures and South East Asian business tactics. He is fluent in French, English, Italian and Dutch.
“Constructive compromise building is at the heart of what we do; we facilitate genuine and lasting engagement between the worlds of business and politics”
Having participated in preparing the latest accession negotiations, Meglena Mihova brings unparalleled insights in the role and functioning of the newest group of EU Member States and the challenges and business opportunities they present.
However, since joining EPPA in 2000, Meglena Mihova has specialised in REACH, trade, enlargement and environmental issues. She leads EPPA’s unparalleled practice on the REACH Regulation and its application. She has real expertise in EU chemical and environmental policy as a result of her extensive involvement with REACH, which dates back to 2001, as well as her experience with the EU’s substance approval mechanisms. Meglena Mihova also utilises her far-reaching knowledge of trade rules to help guide clients through the often complex agreements which underpin world and EU trade. She identifies real business opportunities which positively influence her clients bottom-line.
Meglena Mihova provides insight to clients about the political realities of their business sector. She works with clients to fully understand their business concerns and to identify potential regulatory or political opportunities that support their immediate and long-term interests.
During the initiative known as ‘Bulgarski Velikden’ in 2000 which prepared the Bulgarian EU accession negotiations, Meglena Mihova participated in a number of working groups regarding company law and legal issues. In 1999, as a consultant to the Ministry of Justice in Bulgaria, she worked on the harmonisation of Bulgarian legislation. Prior to Bulgaria’s EU accession she lecture extensively on EU law to various Bulgarian stakeholders. Before joining EPPA, Meglena Mihova did an internship in the Office for Official Publications in the EU Commission.
Meglena Mihova is the Chair of the Waste Working Group and participates in the Chemical Committee of AmCham EU – the leading US business representation body to the EU.
Meglena Mihova has a Master degree in international and European law from the University Paris II Pantheon-Assas and from the Institute of High International Studies, Paris. She speak Bulgarian (and imports her native country's wines), Russian, French, English and Spanish.
Since moving from the EPPA Brussels office to EPPA UK in 1994, Andrew Turner’s work has focused on the inter-relationship of policy-making between London and Brussels.
UK policy and law is increasingly intrinsically linked to EU-based decisions. Andrew Turner uses both his UK and Brussels’ institutional and policy knowledge to develop clients’ UK public affairs programmes by steering their dialogue with the appropriate audiences at the appropriate times either side of the Channel. Andrew Turner’s work has achieved positive tangible results for clients throughout the law-making process through policy development, the adoption of EU law and the implementation of UK law. Andrew Turner also uses this inter-institutional expertise to manage long-term pan-European client programmes, particularly in the transport, environment and media sectors, using a network of public affairs practitioners across the EU.
Andrew Turner is a graduate of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. He worked in publishing in New York prior to joining EPPA in 1992, and developed his interest in European and UK public policy as a Stagiaire in 1989 with the European Commission in DG XIII (Telecoms and Information Society).
EPPA UK is a member of the Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC) and subscribes to the APPC's code of conduct.
“We act as bridge builders between our clients and policy-makers to create optimal regulatory frameworks”
A competition lawyer with extensive experience in business association management, Julius Waller identifies regulatory opportunities that support his clients’ competitiveness and he guides them through the political process to achieve sustainable policy changes.
Since joining EPPA in 1994, Julius Waller has specialised in media, telecommunications and technology issues. Over the past 15 years he has also built-up an impressive track record in anti-trust work, be it helping clients obtain approval for their merger or acquisition, or successfully defending clients from hostile takeover attempts.
Julius Waller’s considerable expertise allows clients to maintain strategic focus when working in complex institutional environments. His public policy management skills guide clients through the complex interplay between the European Parliament, the European Commission, the Member States and the growing influence of ‘comitology’, the myriad of committees, made up of national and EU officials, which implement regulations.
Among his many achievements, the most visible one concerns the change in your wallet. Today’s €0.20 cent and €.050 cent coins look different than originally planned because of EPPA’s intervention on behalf of vending machine producers. Julius helped to build the case which led to the modification of the Euro-coins regulation following the second reading and political agreement in the Council.
Prior to joining EPPA, Julius Waller worked in a variety of capacities on marketing and legal issues at the Dutch Magazine Publishers Associations, ultimately as Deputy Secretary General.
Julius Waller holds a Masters degree in European Competition Law from the University of Leiden (The Netherlands) 1991. He is fluent in Dutch, English, French, and German and still speaks reasonable Portuguese, a memory from a childhood in Brazil.