On graduating in 1992, Mark Rutte joined Unilever, where he worked as a human resources manager and was responsible for staff training. He was also in charge of several reorganisations.

In 1997 Mr Rutte became personnel manager at Van den Bergh Nederland (Calvé), part of Unilever, where he also worked on a reorganisation. In 2002 he was appointed director of human resources at the IGLOMora Group BV, a Unilever subsidiary.

From 22 July 2002 to 17 June 2004 Mr Rutte was State Secretary for Social Affairs and Employment in the first and second Balkenende governments. In the period between these two governments – from 30 January to 27 May 2003 – he was a member of the House of Representatives for the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). From 17 June 2004 to 7 July 2006 he was State Secretary for Education, Culture and Science in the second Balkenende government.

From 29 June 2006 to 8 October 2010 Mark Rutte was the leader of the VVD parliamentary party.

From 14 October 2010 to 5 November 2012 Mr Rutte was Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs in the Rutte-Verhagen government. From 5 November 2012 to 26 October 2017 he was Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs in the Rutte-Asscher government.

On 26 October 2017 Mark Rutte was appointed Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs in the third Rutte government.

Participating in session: 

A Global Order Challenged: Allies in an Era of Great Power Competition