Robert is the Chair and  Director of CIE as well as untill January 2025 Professor and co-director of the Dhakira–Center for Heritage Studies at New York University Abu Dhabi. He holds a doctorate in the History of European Expansion from the University of Amsterdam. Between 1998-2005 he was curator of the Amsterdam Historical Museum.

He managed the culture and development programme in the Bay of Galle, with the Avondster Project, through which he trained and helped to established a Maritime Archaeological Unit in Sri Lanka. In 2005 Robert established CIE and for served as director and now also chair. 

Miranda is a cultural entrepreneur and cultural producer. She coordinated CIE's Maritime Heritagae Program in Sri Lanka  

Charles van Schelle is a former managing director at ABN AMRO bank NL and he's currently managing director at Van Lanschot Kempen. 

Albert  van Nunen Karioen is a researcher in the field of international rule of law reform. With specific focus upon police reform, his interests and expertise covers transitional justice, human rights and criminal justice reform with respect for international human rights standards. Programme manager and strategic advisor for the Police Academy of the Netherlands and various EU and UN organisations. Broad expertise with police and judicial training as well as international human rights, governance and justice reform programmes, Linking academic knowledge of international public law, rule of law, good governance, peace and justice concepts with hands-on experience in development and implementation of a range of international support and reform missions, projects and programmes.