Martin van Es

Martin van Es is a Dutch entrepreneur, father and grandfather. Born in 1959, the youngest of three children, he studied clinical psychology in Groningen, but got distracted by partying and a permanent lack of money. In 1986, he became a father to his daughter, and his son joined the world in 1989, spurring him forward to quit studying, focus on working and start living more seriously.

After graduating in international marketing, Martin took a job as a purchasing director, enabling him to travel the world. He then became director of a packaging wholesaler in Arnhem, The Netherlands. Over 14 years he developed the company alongside his team to create a leading player in the international packaging industry, working on more sustainable packaging concepts. In 2005, Martin sold the company to the largest distributor in the packaging world, and he ventured into volunteering, investing and advising companies. Martin is particularly proud of father-and-son outdoor events company, MooiWeer, on the beautiful island of Terschelling.

Between 2013 and 2017, Martin was director and co-owner of a large, international group of packaging wholesale companies specialised in environmental issues. The role, as well as the birth of his first two grandchildren, have had a massive influence on Martin.

He started writing Call Me Joe in 2017, and asked Andrew Crofts, as a prolific ghostwriter, to join him as co-writer in 2019 to make the story the best it could possibly be. Martin hopes the book will provoke conversation, challenge the status quo, and encourage people to question more about what is happening in the world, to question their leaders, and to consider their role in the future of the planet.