Born in Malmedy on 21.10.1971
Two children
STUDIES:
1995: Law degree, University of Namur and Louvain-la- Neuve
1997: Banking training at Crédit Général (Namur) and ABB (Brussels)
PROFESSIONAL CAREER:
1995-1997: Credit analyst at Crédit Général in Liège
1997-1998: Bank manager at Crédit Général in Malmedy
1998-2003: Business relationship manager and assistant branch manager at the Business Centre of CBC bank in Verviers
2003-2004: Manager of the Business Centre of CBC bank in Verviers
2004-2009: Minister of Education and Scientific Research
2009-2014: Minister of Education, Training and Employment Since juni 2014: Minister-President
ACTIVITIES AND MANDATES:
1991-1992: President of the General Student Assembly of Namur (AGE)
1993-1994: President of the association German-speaking students in Louvain-la-Neuve (EUMAVIA)
1994-1995: Vice-President of the association of Walloon students in Louvain-la-Neuve (FEDE)
1994: Founding member of the movement “Youth for Europe” (Jugend für Europa, JUROPA)
1997-2004: Member of the Council of the German-speaking Community of Belgium
2017-2019: President of the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR)
DECORATIONS AND DISTINCTIONS:
Belgium: Order of Leopold, Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown
France: Officer of the Order of Academic Palms, Officer of the Legion of Honour
Germany: Knight Commander‘s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany Grater Region: Honorary Diploma of the Economic and Social Council of the Greater Region
Greece: Grand-Commander of the Order of Honour
Luxembourg: Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Commander of the Grand Ducal Order of the Oak Crown
Poland: Commander‘s Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
The Netherlands: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau