Uber just increased its policy firepower with former EU competition boss Neelie Kroes among new Global Policy Advisory Group members
The former Brussels official in charge of competition in Europe for more than a decade is among several high-profile names joining Uber's new team of policy advisors.
The transport startup which has faced regulatory hurdles in several cities across the globe, including London, has formed a new board of heavyweights to advise on the matter.
The former EU competition commissioner Neelie Kroes who earned the nicknames Nickel Neelie and Steely Neelie will sit on Uber's newly formed global policy advisory group.
Read more: Arianna Huffington is joining Uber's board
The eight-strong team also counts a former US transport secretary to Obama, Ray LaHood, and a White House policy leader, Melody Barnes. The former Prime Minister of Peru Roberto Danino, Australian economist and former chair of Australia's competition commission Dr Allan Fels are also on the board.
Princess Reema Bandar al-Saud of Saudi Artabia, former head of McKinsey India Adil Zainulbhai and Brazillian economist Dr Gesner Oliveira round out the group.
David Plouffe, himself a former campaign advisor to the outgoing US President and now chief advisor at Uber, revealed the board met for the first time this week.
"For decades, transportation policy has played second fiddle to the likes of the economy, education and healthcare. Yet transportation is key to all these areas of public policy," he said in a blog post.
"Just a few years ago only one place (California) had a regulatory framework for ridesharing. Today more than 70 jurisdictions in the US do, and many other places around the globe are following suit, including in Australia, Canada, India, the Philippines and Mexico.
"As ridesharing continues to grow, we look forward to the Board’s candid advice and insights. Of course, Uber has a reputation for getting straight to the point (sometimes a little too quickly) — and we want their feedback to be equally direct."