The appointment was made by the EIB’s board of governors, which consists of the 28 European Union finance ministers.

Emma has been general secretary of the treasury and financial policy in Spain as well as a member of the Bank of Spain governing council and a board member of the Spanish National Securities Market Commission.

Prior to this, Emma was president of Instituto de Crédito Oficial (ICO), director of the office of the minister for economic affairs, industry and competitiveness, and adviser at the International Monetary Fund.

Emma said she was pleased to be joining the EIB and felt it had much to celebrate as it reached its 60th anniversary.

“In these 60 years, the EIB has fostered cohesion and promoted the modernisation of the European economy, triggering growth and employment and making it more competitive.

“I am delighted to be able to contribute to this success story.”

The management committee is the EIB’s permanent collegiate executive body, which consists of a president and eight vice-presidents.

Under the authority of Werner Hoyer, president of the EIB, the management committee collectively oversees the day-to-day running of the EIB, as well as preparing and ensuring the implementation of the board of directors’ decisions.