Milco Rikken, with a Master's Degree in Economics, is a specialist in market research and in the international floricultural and horticultural trade.

After having worked as a consultant trade promotion for clients as CBI, Coleacp and ProTrade, he further specialised in the floricultural trade as a Marketing Analyst at the Flower Auction in Aalsmeer (VBA). As key staff member, he was involved in market research and marketing planning and advised the board of directors on strategic issues.

Recent activities include training as part of export development programmes for cut flowers in Kenya, Ethiopia, Colombia, South Africa and Egypt; horticulture sector development in Ethiopia, Rwanda and Surinam; evaluations and feasibility studies of CBI export promotion programmes, and the introduction, promotion and sales of various ornamental products on the European market.

Milco Rikken is author of many market surveys, manuals, export guides, including the annually published CBI market surveys "Cut flowers and foliage", "Plants and young plant material", "Tropical flowers" and "Summer flowers".

Corporate Social Responsibility

ProVerde has an ongoing and dedicated commitment to offering services that help create a better social environment and bring new value to society. Through our actions, we seek to contribute to society’s sustainable development and to safeguard the natural environment.

ProVerde follows the guidelines and principles of ISO 26000 and therefore actively incorporates its chain responsibility in all of its work. In this respect, we aim to be an accountable and transparent organisation, actively promoting the principles of social responsibility to our providers, clients and business partners.

As an ESOMAR Member, Milco Rikken of ProVerde complies with the ICC/ESOMAR Code and ESOMAR World Research Guidelines.

Download CSR report 2009

ProVerde closely collaborates with the following companies and consultants:

	ProFound - Advisers In Development Established in 1990, ProFound is a Netherlands based consultancy firm providing professional support to organisations and programmes dealing with sustainable development and trade promotion.
	FlowerWatch FlowerWatch is dedicated to managing temperature and quality between the links in the transport chain. Flowerwatch detects and improves bottlenecks in the floricultural coolchain and conduct sustainable audits.
	Van Woerden Training en Advies Maarten van Woerden offers SMEs in the green sector management training, entrepreneurial skill development and advise in organisation development.
	Maarten van Schie Maarten van Schie is active for OTV organisation development and associated with the Green-Team. He is primarily active in areas where HRM and marketing meet: strengthening internal customer orientation and improving communication between colleagues and departments.
	Kunming Flower Group (KFG) The Kunming Flower Group is a platform of young professionals to develop the Chinese Agricultural and Horticultural market. KFG assists companies to develop their China business. This is done as partner, advisor or as contractor in areas of production, sales and/or sourcing.
	E4 Consulting Dana van Hes provides guidance and assistance in the interpretation and implementation of certification schemes in the horticulture sector (CSR). Dana organises training sessions to foster capacity building relating, among others, to CSR.
	Flowers Best Interest (FBI) FBI provides technical know-how to the international flower business. FBI's background is flower-growing techniques in the tropics and subtropics while meeting European quality demands. FBI is specialised in post harvest related solutions and value adding techniques.
	Bureau Leeters Jos Leeters is a consultant in international horticulture, specialised in marketing, trade promotion and chain- & quality management. In addition he’s active in education and consultant in curriculum development projects for international agricultural universities.
	Bluerhino Rhino Consult Blue Rhino Consult is an international consulting firm working for MFIs and NGOs. Blue Rhino Consult focuses on microfinance and civil society organisational management and leadership in developing countries.