Cecil de Strycker
Encyclopedia
Baron Cecil de Strycker was a Belgian
economist, civil servant, and former governor of the National Bank of Belgium
(NBB) from 1975 until 1982. Under his management, the NBB established the Central Balance Sheet Office and the Central Office of Consumer Credit and a new wing was added to the Brussels headquarters of the Bank.
He obtained a PhD in commercial sciences with a thesis on the National Bank. He joined the NBB in 1945 as an executive in the Foreign Affairs department, and in 1958 he was appointed as a director at the bank. In 1968 he became a member of the European Economic Community
’s Monetary Committee. In 1971 he succeeded Franz de Voghel as vice-governor of the Bank, and he was appointed governor in 1975. During his tenure as governor of the NBB, the management of the Bank remained resolute in the face of ever-increasing calls for a devaluation of the belgian franc
to resolve the crisis which hit Belgium in the 1970s. As an alternative, Cecil de Strycker emphasised the need for an effective recovery policy and wage moderation.
He played an important role on the Committee of Governors of the Central Banks of the Member States of the European Economic Community and in the European Monetary Cooperation Fund
, and in 1978 he became the president of both these institutions. In 1979, the European Monetary System
was launched, which based on the ECU
.
On 19 February 1982 the Belgian government of Martens V
, informed him that a devaluation of the Belgian franc was imminent. The National Bank had not been directly involved in the preparations for the devaluation, which had been prepared by Alfons Verplaetse
and Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou
. Cecil de Strycker retired in March 1982
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
economist, civil servant, and former governor of the National Bank of Belgium
National Bank of Belgium
The National Bank of Belgium has been the central bank of Belgium since 1850...
(NBB) from 1975 until 1982. Under his management, the NBB established the Central Balance Sheet Office and the Central Office of Consumer Credit and a new wing was added to the Brussels headquarters of the Bank.
He obtained a PhD in commercial sciences with a thesis on the National Bank. He joined the NBB in 1945 as an executive in the Foreign Affairs department, and in 1958 he was appointed as a director at the bank. In 1968 he became a member of the European Economic Community
European Economic Community
The European Economic Community The European Economic Community (EEC) The European Economic Community (EEC) (also known as the Common Market in the English-speaking world, renamed the European Community (EC) in 1993The information in this article primarily covers the EEC's time as an independent...
’s Monetary Committee. In 1971 he succeeded Franz de Voghel as vice-governor of the Bank, and he was appointed governor in 1975. During his tenure as governor of the NBB, the management of the Bank remained resolute in the face of ever-increasing calls for a devaluation of the belgian franc
Belgian franc
The franc was the currency of Belgium until 2002 when the euro was introduced into circulation. It was subdivided into centimes , 100 centiem or Centime .-History:...
to resolve the crisis which hit Belgium in the 1970s. As an alternative, Cecil de Strycker emphasised the need for an effective recovery policy and wage moderation.
He played an important role on the Committee of Governors of the Central Banks of the Member States of the European Economic Community and in the European Monetary Cooperation Fund
European Monetary Cooperation Fund
The European Monetary Cooperation Fund is an institution and a fund established in 1973 by members of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism of the European Union to stabilise exchange rates. It was succeeded by the European Monetary Institute which is now part of the European Central Bank....
, and in 1978 he became the president of both these institutions. In 1979, the European Monetary System
European Monetary System
There are three stages of monetary cooperation in the European Union.-Background:European currency exchange rate stability has been one of the most important objectives of European policy makers at least since the Second World War....
was launched, which based on the ECU
ECU
ECU may refer to:Automotive terms* Electronic control unit, a generic term for any embedded system that controls one or more of the electrical systems or subsystems in a motor vehicle...
.
On 19 February 1982 the Belgian government of Martens V
Wilfried Martens
Wilfried Martens is a Belgian politician. He was born in Sleidinge . Martens was the 44th Prime Minister of Belgium from 3 April 1979 to 6 April 1981 and 17 December 1981 to 7 March 1992....
, informed him that a devaluation of the Belgian franc was imminent. The National Bank had not been directly involved in the preparations for the devaluation, which had been prepared by Alfons Verplaetse
Alfons Verplaetse
Alfons "Fons", Viscount Verplaetse is a Belgian economist and former Governor of the National Bank of Belgium from 1989 until 1999. He was one of the architects of the devaluation of Belgian Frank in 1982 when he worked at the cabinet of Wilfried Martens in the government Martens V...
and Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou
Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou
Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou , is the Principal Private Secretary to the King of Belgium. When Albert II of Belgium succeeded his brother Baudouin I of Belgium, he kept his private secretary, so Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou has served two kings...
. Cecil de Strycker retired in March 1982