Edwin De Boeck, Chief Economist at KBC to take up new challenge

KBC's chief economist, Edwin De Boeck, is leaving the company after accepting the N-VA's invitation to join their research centre as its director. He will take up his new post on 1 May 2016.

Johan Thijs, KBC Group CEO: 'We would like to thank Edwin De Boeck for his valued work and dedication of the last 31 years at KBC. His macroeconomic analyses, forecasts and scenarios were used to support investment decisions and to underpin our risk management work. He seized the opportunity he received as chief economist at KBC with both hands and more than proved his worth. This reflects KBC's capacity to surround itself with top talent, and something that is also recognised and acknowledged elsewhere. We wish him every success in this next stage of his career.'

Edwin De Boeck on his move: 'KBC believed in my ability, provided me with excellent opportunities and invested time and energy in me right from the start of my career in 1985. I'm extremely grateful for that and also for having had the good fortune to work in an interesting and simulating environment. This new challenge now offers me an opportunity at this later stage of my career to use my experience in a broader social context, while at the same time giving me the chance to make a more concrete contribution to social-economic policy.'