Chair of the European Commission’s High-Level group on the future of social protection and of the welfare state in the eu and president of diktio – network for reform in greece and europe, a leading non-partisan, athens-based think tank. Formerly Greece’s candidate for the post of OECD’s Secretary General, served as the European Commissioner and as a minister in the Greek government as well, Minister of Development, Competitiveness and Shipping, and Minister of Education, Research and Technology, and lifelong learning. Member of the Bot of Friends of Europe, Council member of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), and a member of the Scientific Council of the Foundation for European progressive studies (FEPS) and member of the advisory board of the Johannesburg-based brenthurst foundation and of the Delphi Economic Forum. Sita corporate boards, including the board of directors of coca cola hbc, the global advisory board of kekst cnc, member of Publicis Groupe.