EBF PRESS RELEASE

EBF-BCESA elects new leadership with Chair and two Vice-Chairs

Brussels, 7 July 2026 – The Banking Committee for European Social Affairs (BCESA) within the European Banking Federation has elected André Guy Turoche as Chair and Wien De Geyter and Yiannos Rossides as Vice-Chairs. Wien De Geyter continues in the vice-chairmanship role she has held previously, while Yiannos Rossides also joins as Vice-Chair.

EBF-BCESA represents the interests of banks’ employers at the European level. André Guy Turoche, Director of Social Affairs at the French Banking Association (AFB), Wien De Geyter, Secretary General at Federation of the Belgian Financial Sector (Febelfin), and Yiannos Rossides, Manager of People & Innovation at the Association of Cyprus Banks (ACB) will together provide strategic leadership to the sectoral social dialogue.

Welcoming the appointment of the new leadership team, Sébastien de Brouwer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the EBF, said:

“We are pleased to be able to count on an experienced and highly professional expanded chairmanship team, reflecting the growing intensity and complexity of social affairs at the EU level. A broader leadership ensures stronger representation and enables us to engage effectively in the European social dialogue.”

The newly elected BCESA leadership underlined the growing importance of European social partner projects in the banking sector.

André Guy Turoche, newly elected Chair of BCESA, stated:

“I am honoured to have been elected as Chair of BCESA and look forward to working closely with colleagues and social partners. At a time of profound technological change and EU legislative developments with significant impacts on the banking sector and its workforce, it is essential that we carefully assess these developments and contribute actively to the discussion at the earliest possible stage.”

Wien De Geyter, Vice-Chair, added:

“Strong and constructive cooperation between social partners is not only essential for representing the interests of the European banking sector and its workforce; it is also key to fostering a resilient economy and a prosperous society.”

Yiannos Rossides, Vice-Chair, commented:

“It is an honour and a privilege to join this leadership team as Vice-Chair, after serving as a member of the committee for more than two decades. I am confident that by working together, the Chairmanship team and the members of the Committee we can build on the strong foundations already established and continue advancing our common objectives.”

In his final meeting as chair, Jens Thau reflected fondly on his years in the role, sharing how much he had genuinely enjoyed the journey and how proud he felt to have had the privilege of serving as chair for so long. He expressed heartfelt confidence that the newly formed three-member team will carry the work forward with the same dedication, continuing to champion the interests at the heart of today’s pressing social affairs agenda.

We warmly thank Jens for his tireless commitment and the many achievements he leaves behind after years of being in charge of the banking committee.

EBF-BCESA represents – together with the European Savings Banks Group (ESBG) and the European Association of Cooperative Banks (EACB) – the interests of employers in the banking sector at the European level towards the social partners. These include UNI-Finance, the European Commission and other international organisations, including the International Labour Organisation, regulators, banking supervisors and standardization organisations.

For more information:

Sébastien de Brouwer, Deputy CEO – s.debrouwer@ebf.eu

Claudia Boboc, Intern – Social and International Affairs – c.boboc@ebf.eu

About the EBF:

The European Banking Federation is the voice of the European banking sector, bringing together national banking associations from across Europe. The federation is committed to a thriving European economy that is underpinned by a stable, secure, and inclusive financial ecosystem, and to a flourishing society where financing is available to fund the dreams of citizens, businesses and innovators everywhere.