Studies in Social Geography and Regional Planning, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam; European Studies, Catholic University, Leuven, Belgium. Formerly: with private sector; with Secretariat-General, Benelux Economic Union, focussing on removal of border controls within Europe; With European Commission: 1991, worked on procurement policies; Private Assistant to Director-General; 1997-2001, Trade Counsellor, Delegation to US, Washington DC, with focus on financial services, procurement and technology; Head, Policy Unit, DG Internal Market; since 2005, current position, involved in preparation of initiatives including Digital Agenda, Innovation Union, an Industrial Policy for the Globalisation Age and a New Skills for New Jobs programme.