Knut Hirsch is Director of Marketing and Communications of the Business Unit Energy & Resources of TÜV NORD GROUP – an independent globally leading service provider offering testing, inspection, certification, engineering and training through its group companies. Knut is a proven expert in marketing, communications and business development, and maintains a particular proficiency in the Raw Materials and Energy markets - especially on the topics of environmental sustainability, social responsibility and corporate governance (ESG). With this background, Knut was and is in charge of the market launch of the certification system "TÜV NORD CERA 4in1" for responsible sourcing of mineral raw materials, whose first of four standards was recently introduced to the market. Furthermore, Knut’s activities include his role as leader of communications in international raw materials RTD projects as well as his position as Deputy Chairman of the Board in the German NGO RohstoffWissen! e.V. that cares for sustainability and transparency in the raw material sector and fosters open dialogue with civil society.