Mr. Jesús BALLESTEROS is Advisor to the Rector on business and strategic orientation matters at the College of Europe. He has more than 20 years of professional experience in EU affairs, business development and in the design and management of international projects. At Director level, since 2009 he has been responsible for the overall implementation of executive education programmes for EU and non-EU government officials and diplomats, as well as framework, technical assistance and service contracts for the EU institutions. He holds a degree in Spanish Law and Postgraduate degrees (LLM) in European Union Law, specialised in EU Competition Law and in External Trade and Commercial Policy, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in EU and British Law from the University of Bristol (UK). Jesús Ballesteros speaks Spanish, English and French.
Jesús BALLESTEROS
Programme Director
Hilary JENNINGS
Course Director
Ms. Hilary JENNINGS is a Senior Competition Expert and member of the UK Regulatory Policy Committee, with over 20 years’ experience of advising Governments and Regulators on competition, regulatory and market access policies in UK, EU and emerging economy markets, and working with organisations such as the OECD, the World Bank and the European Commission. She is the Special Adviser on Competition for the EU-Asia Competition Cooperation Project for DG Competition with ASEAN, China, India, Japan and Korea. She previously held senior roles at the OECD and the UK’s Office of Fair Trading, as well as in the private sector. She has a LL.M in EU Competition Law and International Trade Law from King’s College London. She speaks English and French.
Mr. Cesare ZEGRETTI is the Co-Director of the Executive Education, Training and Projects Office of the College of Europe. Cesare has more than thirteen years of professional experience in business development, management of international projects and human resources management. As Co-Director, in addition to leading the team of the Executive Education, Training and Projects Office, in the last years, he has built an extensive experience in managing complex projects requiring the implementation of high-level sectorial dialogues, exchanges of best practices and networking events. His main areas of interest and experience are: international cooperation policies, EU affairs, EU public diplomacy and external action, training and adult education. He holds a Master’s in International Relations and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Sciences, both obtained at the LUISS University in Rome. He speaks English, French and Italian.
Ms. Hilary JENNINGS is a Senior Competition Expert and member of the UK Regulatory Policy Committee, with over 20 years’ experience of advising Governments and Regulators on competition, regulatory and market access policies in UK, EU and emerging economy markets, and working with organisations such as the OECD, the World Bank and the European Commission. She is the Special Adviser on Competition for the EU-Asia Competition Cooperation Project for DG Competition with ASEAN, China, India, Japan and Korea. She previously held senior roles at the OECD and the UK’s Office of Fair Trading, as well as in the private sector. She has a LL.M in EU Competition Law and International Trade Law from King’s College London. She speaks English and French.
Dr. Philip KESSLER works as International Relations Officer in DG Competition at the European Commission, at the intersection of trade and competition policy. Amongst others, he works on relations with Africa and the UK as well as the screening of foreign direct investment cases. Prior to working at DG Competition, he worked on climate change adaptation in DG Research and Innovation and Trade and Sustainable Development in DG Trade. Philip holds a PhD in political economy from King‘s College London.
Mr. Nicolas REY is an International Relations Officer within the International Relations Unit of DG COMP. He is in particular responsible for cooperation and relations with Africa, Neighbourhood South, Western Europe and Pacific countries. Prior to that, he was involved in the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement negotiations and was previously working as a case handler on tax rulings state aid cases. He holds a Master Degree in Economics and Finance from Sciences Po Strasbourg as well as a Master in Corporate and Tax Law from the University of Strasbourg. He speaks English and French.