This morning [8 June 2016], Katherina Reiche, Chief Executive Officer of the German Association of Local Utilities (VKU) and President of CEEP German section, was unanimously elected CEEP President by the General Assembly of the European Centre of Employers and Enterprises providing Public Services and Services of General Interest (CEEP).

Addressing CEEP General Assembly, Ms Reiche emphasised the key role of public services in the European social model: “It is only with the support of public services that global competitiveness of the EU can be achieved within the scope of the ecological and social market economy as is provided for in the Treaty on European Union. (…) Through our daily work, we do strengthen Europe‘s competitiveness, contribute towards European diversity, provide for jobs and the infrastructure and assume responsibility for the citizens in Europe.”

Ms Reiche has an extensive knowledge of national and EU politics, having been Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety from 2009 to 2013 and at the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure from 2013 to 2015. During her political carrier and as a leading figure for German public services, she developed a personalized approach to policy-making, which she presented to CEEP General Assembly: “My vision of policy making – and with it also my vision of presiding an association like CEEP – is one of partnership, commitment and a culture shaped by open discussions”.

Ms Reiche takes over Presidency from Hans-Joachim Reck who has been CEEP President since 2011. She will work in close cooperation with CEEP Presidential team, together Vice-Presidents Milena Angelova (BICA, BG), Filippo Brandolini (Federambiete, IT) and Tom Beattie (CEEP UK).