The European Central Bank (ECB) has announced the appointment of Isabel Vansteenkiste as Principal Counsellor to President Christine Lagarde. Currently serving as Director General of International and European Relations, Vansteenkiste will assume her new responsibilities on September 15, 2025. Her role will involve advising the President on economic and strategic policy issues, preparing for Executive Board and Governing Council meetings, and overseeing the Counsel to the Executive Board.
Vansteenkiste replaces Roland Straub, who will become Deputy Director General of Market Operations on the same date. ECB President Christine Lagarde expressed her anticipation of working with Vansteenkiste and gratitude towards Straub for his contributions. “I am very much looking forward to working with Isabel Vansteenkiste in her new role and would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Roland Straub for his hugely valuable contributions and unwavering commitment over many years, which I know will continue in his new role,” said Lagarde.
Straub’s new position involves shaping strategies within the Directorate General Market Operations, which handles monetary policy implementation, foreign exchange operations, and market monitoring. Having joined the ECB in 2007, Straub has served as Counsellor to former ECB President Mario Draghi and Executive Board member Benoît Cœuré.
Vansteenkiste brings 23 years of experience at the ECB in various roles related to international relations, economics, and monetary policy. She holds a PhD in economics from KU Leuven.
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