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

ZURICH, Aug 23 - Swiss newspaper NZZ reported on Sunday that Christine Lagarde, European Central Bank chief, could assume the presidency of the World Economic Forum (WEF) as early as 2027. During a board meeting near Geneva, sources quoted Lagarde as stating she was "ready to serve." Currently, the WEF board is co-chaired by Roche vice-chairman André Hoffmann and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, who are navigating a leadership transition following founder Klaus Schwab's departure last year.

Singapore's President Tharman Shanmugaratnam suggested that resolving the succession to Fink and Hoffmann should occur internally, given the availability of suitable candidates. Lagarde, who has served on the WEF board for multiple terms, expressed gratitude to the 28-member body for their confidence in her. The board has not set a specific date for Lagarde to assume the presidency, but confirmed that Fink and Hoffmann will continue to chair the annual meeting in Davos in January 2027.

Reuters has not yet received a response from the WEF regarding the report. In 2027, Lagarde's eight-year term at the ECB will conclude.