MELLE DE RIDDER

Melle is a defence-focused consultant with a strong orientation towards public affairs, government relations, and security policy.
He connects government, industry and politics within the defence sector, and brings hands-on experience from the Dutch House of Representatives, the European institutions in Brussels and defence consultancy.

His educational background includes an Advanced MSc in International Relations & Diplomacy from Leiden University and the Clingendael Institute, with a specialisation in conflict resolution, diplomacy and security studies, preceded by an honours bachelor’s in Liberal Arts & Sciences at University College Maastricht.

He worked as a parliamentary assistant in the Dutch House of Representatives, preparing briefings, voting advice and policy analyses on foreign trade and defence, and represented a Dutch province in Brussels, where he monitored EU legislative processes and drafted policy memos for senior policymakers. Alongside his work, he serves on the board of a national defence network and chairs its industry committee, bringing together defence companies, political representatives and government officials.

At Unified International, Melle applies this experience to public affairs and defence consultancy, supporting clients in positioning towards the Dutch Ministry of Defence and European institutions. His combination of political insight, policy analysis, and stakeholder management helps clients translate legislative and policy developments into a clear, actionable strategy.