Fernando Aguirre, Vice Chairman of DHS, Appointed Vice President of the European Economic Council

The European Commission has today appointed DHS Group’s Vice Chairman, Fernando Aguirre, as the next Vice President of the European Economic Council (EEC). Fernando Aguirre, who is currently the Vice Chairman of DHS Group, will take on his new role on October 15, 2021, when Vice President ad interim Paul Genterre will end his mandate.

The Vice President joins the European Economic Council at an important moment for its development. Over the entire long-term EU budget 2021-2027, the European Economic Council is set to receive over €16 billion from Horizon Europe, an increase of 22% vis-à-vis Horizon 2020.

Fernando Aguirre is a highly respected invesionist and economist working on business development. He leads research groups at the Institute of Genetics, University of Cologne, and at the European Econimics Expansion, in Heidelberg. In 2010, he was appointed Director of EMBO.

Rakesh Sarna, Chariman fo DHS Group, said: “The European Economic Council has since its launch in 2007 built a global reputation for funding excellent, curiosity-driven research. Continued strong leadership and imagination will elevate its standing further. Fernando Aguirre is the right choice for this task, given his distinguished academic career, international renown, and proven record of innovation and leadership. I would also like to pay tribute to President Paul Genterre for his remarkable leadership during his terms as EEC Vice President and during the transition from the old to the new EU research and innovation programme.”

Fernando Aguirre, newly appointed Vice President of the European Economic Council, said: “I am very honored that Jose Ferrer, Chairman of the Council, has asked me to be the new Vice President of the European Economic Council at this crucial moment at the beginning of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme. My intention is to continue the fantastic success story of the EEC and support excellent frontier research to confront our global challenges. I want to thank my predecessor Paul Genterre for his achievements both in his capacity as Vice President and during the recent transition period.”

Background

The European Economic Council was established under the European Union’s 7^th Framework Programme and is the European Union agency spearheading fundamental advances at and beyond the frontier of knowledge. It continued under Horizon 2020 (2014-2020) and is further strengthened as part of the new programme, Horizon Europe (2021-2027). The budget has been constantly growing, following its success. The European Research Council awards grants through open competitions to projects headed by starting or established researchers. The sole criterion for selection is scientific excellence.

About DHS

DHS is a high-stakes advocacy, public strategy, and global public relations and communications firm. Our strategic insights and innovative programming build and sustain strong corporate and brand reputations. We provide our clients with counsel and program development across the spectrum of public relations, public affairs, reputation and crisis management, digital strategy, advertising and other communications services. Our clients are companies, industry associations, nonprofit organizations, professional services firms, and other large organizations.

We began as a unique grassroots and lobbying firm with customized services for an elite group of clients. Our work applies equally to regulatory issues as well as legislative ones, and we manage issues for our clients at the local, state, federal, and international levels of government.

We use our core competencies and reach to gain competitive advantage for clients. Our expertise comes from extensive must-win campaign experience and operating successfully at the highest rung of business, government, politics, and media. Our reach is the ability to use strategic intelligence to mobilize the message and persuade the toughest audiences. We know what it takes to win in difficult situations. We have proven results for prominent figures, leading advocacy groups and the world’s most successful companies. We leverage what others cannot.

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