The European Commission appoints an EU SME Envoy

Today, Markus Pieper has been appointed as EU small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) Envoy. He will report directly to President Ursula von der Leyen.

Mr Pieper will take office in the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) and he will also report to the Commissioner for Internal Market on all SME-related activities. The date of effect of his appointment will be determined later.

SMEs are the backbone of the EU economy. The Commission is determined to take bold action in support of SMEs, recognising the role they play in achieving the transition towards a green, digital and resilient economy as well as the contribution they make to the EU's long-term prosperity. It is against this background that the Commission adopted a Communication on an SME relief package, which includes the appointment of a dedicated EU SME Envoy, as also announced by President von der Leyen in her latest State of the Union speech, to provide guidance and advice to the Commission on SME issues and to advocate SME interests externally ensuring that the 'Think Small First' principle is applied effectively. The EU SME Envoy will also chair the SME Envoy Network, thus maintaining close contact with the national SME Envoys, and work together with business associations to advocate for the special concerns and needs of SMEs within the Commission, in line with the Commission`s Better Regulation Agenda. This includes, in particular, working towards bureaucratic burden reduction for our companies, and filtering upcoming SME-related EU legislation and signalling to the Commission those that merit close attention from an SME perspective, in a regular dialogue with the Regulatory Scrutiny Board.

Mr Pieper, a Member of the European Parliament since 2004, brings extensive experience and expertise in SME policies. He serves as a member of the Committee on Industry, Research, and Energy. Throughout his tenure, he has played a pivotal role in shaping and championing policies that benefit SMEs. In his capacity as the rapporteur on crucial SME-related matters, such as defining SMEs and improving regulations, Mr Pieper has demonstrated a commendable track record. He has successfully established and nurtured strategic relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, showcasing strong leadership, advocacy, and negotiation skills. Prior to his role in the European Parliament, Mr Pieper served as the Managing Director of a regional Chamber of Commerce in Germany, showcasing his practical understanding of business dynamics.

Markus Pieper holds a Doctorate in Economic Geography and has shared his knowledge as a lecturer on European integration, EU energy, and industrial policy. His wealth of experience, both in legislative matters and hands-on business management, positions him as a valuable asset to any initiatives related to SMEs and industrial policy.