CICERO appoints two new board directors

Billinger and Riekeles are outside directors and bring international experience to the organisation.

Riekeles is Associate Director at the European Policy Centre in Brussels and has previously served as a diplomatic adviser in the European Commission’s Taskforce for the EU-UK negotiations. Before that, Riekeles was an adviser for security and defence at the European Political Strategy Centre (EPSC), the Commission’s in-house think tank. 

«CICERO has been and is a leading research centre and instigator of Europe’s climate policies. I’m very pleased for this opportunity to contribute at a critical time when climate ambitions are becoming both more challenged and ever more needed”, Riekeles said of his appointment.

Billinger is the former state secretary for the Swedish Ministry of Enterprise, where her responsibilities included innovation and entrepreneurship. She has also worked as Head of Sustainability for Storebrand, an insurance company. She lectures extensively on the topic of sustainable business.

“In a time when climate change is escalating and science denial is spreading, I cannot think of a more important task than to be part of a world-leading climate research institute. I am honoured by the appointment and look forward to contributing with my experiences from both government and the business sector,” said Billinger.

Kristin Halvorsen, executive director at CICERO, looks forward to working with the new board.

“Stina Billinger and Georg Riekeles bring valuable experiences from international politics and business that complement the board and strengthen our institute. I am delighted they both accepted the nomination”, Halvorsen said.