Pierre Wunsch named new Chairman of the King Baudouin Foundation
The Board of Governors of the King Baudouin Foundation has appointed Pierre Wunsch, Governor of the National Bank of Belgium, as its new Chairman from January 2022. Pierre Wunsch succeeds Thomas Leysen as Chairman.
The King Baudouin Foundation wishes first of all to offer its special thanks to Thomas Leysen for his extraordinary work. Under his chairmanship the KBF has grown rapidly, its capital has been invested in accordance with ESG criteria and the Foundation has set up even more international projects, while continuing to devote special attention to initiatives close to home. Thomas Leysen had special interests in projects in social justice, health, social engagement and the climate, while remaining true to his own passion for cultural heritage. He was Chairman of the Foundation’s Cultural Heritage Fund for many years.
Following a proposal from the Nomination Committee, the Board of Governors of the King Baudouin Foundation approved the appointment of Pierre Wunsch as its new Chairman on 17 December. He knows the KBF well and has been its Vice-Chairman since 2020. From 2019 onwards Pierre Wunsch has also been Chairman of the Management Committee of Boost, the Foundation’s talent development programme.
Pierre Wunsch is replaced as Vice-Chair by Yasmine Kherbache, Judge at the Belgian Constitutional Court, and a member of the Board of Governors of the KBF since 2016. The Foundation is very grateful to her for taking up this post.
Pierre Wunsch is 54 years old, with a PhD in Economics (UCLouvain) and a Master’s degree in Public and International Affairs (Princeton). He has been Governor of the National Bank of Belgium since 2019, having previously served as Vice-Governor and Director. Prior to this he has held a range of posts, both in cabinet offices (including Finance) and in companies (Electrabel and Tractebel EGI). He is a member of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank and Governor at the International Monetary Fund.
The King Baudouin Foundation looks forward to an exciting collaboration, and has every confidence in the future with Pierre Wunsch as its Chairman.