Michiel has 25+ years of experience in the civil/military aviation industry. After graduating with an MSc in aerospace engineering from Delft University of Technology, he worked 18 years for the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Center NLR as engineer, program management and business development. Since 2015 he is working as consultant in the industry, focusing on maturing innovations and the strategy to bring them into the market. Amongst other, he supported a start-up on innovative aerial fire fighting with program management, marketing plan, end-user engagement, regulatory aspects and technical feasibility. For a USA-based electric aircraft start-up he was European representative, helping the set-up of an entity in Europe and working on ecosystem readiness with governments, airlines, airports, energy companies, educational institutes and the civil aviation authorities.

Michiel joined Unified International in 2019, advising and supporting government (regional, national) and industry clients on innovations that make aviation safer and sustainable. He is working on the energy transition to zero emission aircraft and new forms of air mobility, related rulemaking and standards and ecosystem readiness.