ECB chief Lagarde 'ready to serve' WEF, Swiss newspaper reports

August 23, 2026 4:12 AM EDT

FILE PHOTO: European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde presents shortlisted designs for future euro banknotes at the ECB headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, July 23, 2026. REUTERS/Heiko Becker/File Photo

ZURICH, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Christine ‌Lagarde, chief ​of ​the European Central Bank, could take over the presidency of the World Economic Forum at some point in ‌2027, Swiss newspaper NZZ reported on Sunday.

At a board ⁠meeting near Geneva this week, Lagarde was reportedly described as a "putative candidate" to ‌lead the organisation behind the ‌annual Davos gathering of political and business leaders. According to sources cited by the newspaper, she also said she was "ready ​to serve".

• The WEF's board is currently co-chaired by Roche vice-chairman André Hoffmann and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, who are ⁠navigating a leadership transition after founder Klaus Schwab stepped down last year.

• At the board ​meeting, Singapore's President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said that the succession to Fink and Hoffmann should be resolved internally as ​suitable candidates were available, NZZ reported.

• ‌Lagarde, who has been a member of the WEF's board for several terms, thanked the members of ⁠the 28-strong body for their confidence in her, according to the paper's reporting.

• The board did not determine exactly when Lagarde should take ⁠over the presidency, NZZ said, based on sources, adding that the only point ​of agreement was that Fink and Hoffmann should still chair the annual meeting in Davos in January 2027.

• The WEF did not immediately reply to ‌a Reuters request for comment.

• Christine Lagarde said last year she was determined to complete her ‌term at the ECB, following speculation she might leave early to ⁠take up a role leading ‌the WEF. Her eight-year ​presidential term at the ECB runs out at the end of October 2027.

(Reporting by Ariane Luthi;Editing by ‌Elaine Hardcastle)



Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

You May Also Be Interested In





Related Categories

Reuters

Related Entities

European Central Bank