EWEA seeks new CEO as Kjaer announces departure

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) is looking for a new Chief Executive Officer following the decision of Christian Kjaer to stand down from April 2013.

Christian Kjaer has been CEO of EWEA since 2006. From 2003-2006 he was EWEA Policy Director, and previously worked for the Danish Wind Industry Association and the Danish newspaper Berlingske Tidende. He has an MSc in International Business.

Christian Kjaer said “I will have been at EWEA for more than 11 years – four years as policy director and seven years as CEO – and it will be time for me to move on to something new and, currently, undefined. This is entirely my own decision and the rather long notice is motivated only by my intention to ensure that the EWEA Board and staff can prepare the transition in an orderly and timely fashion.”

He added “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be CEO of the European Wind Energy Association. It is the best job in the world. I am immensely grateful for the support I have always received from EWEA president Arthouros Zervos, the Board and staff of EWEA.”

Arthouros Zervos, President of EWEA, commented “Christian Kjaer has transformed EWEA from a small association to probably the most respected renewable energy association in the world, and one of the most respected associations of any kind in Brussels. He has insisted on the highest standards which are reflected in everything that EWEA stands for – credible research, informative publications, strong communications, effective advocacy and top quality events. He is a hard act to follow, but leaves his successor a flourishing Association with an excellent secretariat. I will miss Christian personally as well as professionally and I am sure he will make a success of whatever he does after EWEA.”

EWEA is advertising the job on its website www.ewea.org and hopes to make an appointment by the end of the year – with the intention of giving the new CEO an extended handover period with Christian Kjaer.