Jean Godeaux
Encyclopedia
Baron
Jean Godeaux was a Belgian
economist, civil servant and former governor of the National Bank of Belgium
(NBB) from 1982 until 1989.
Jean Godeaux studied both law and economics, and started his career in 1947 at the NBB in the Foreign Affairs department. From 1949 until 1955, he was a member of the Belgian delegation to the International Monetary Fund
. When he returned to Brussels in 1955, he was appointed as a director of the Banque Lambert, where he subsequently became co-administrator, and later chairman of the board
of the bank. He was involved in the preparations for the merger with the Banque de Bruxelles, which would lead to the creation of the Banque Bruxelles Lambert. Godeaux resigned in 1974, before the finalisation of the merger, in order to become the president of the Banking Commission of Belgium, and in 1979 he joined the European Commission
’s Banking Advisory Committee.
When he was appointed as governor of the NBB in 1982, he was immediately faced with the devaluation of the Belgian franc
. Due to this devaluation the relations with Luxembourg
had been seriously disrupted and he had the task to normalize the relations.
In 1988, Jean Godeaux became president of the Committee of Governors of the Central Banks of the Member States of the EEC
, and of the European Monetary Cooperation Fund
. In 1989 he contributed to the preparation of the Delors Report
. He left the NBB in 1990, after which he joined the board of the Société Générale de Belgique
, where he stayed until 1996. He was succeeded by Alfons Verplaetse
as governor of the NBB.
Jean Godeaux had a passion for poetry. The poet Arthur Rimbaud
was, by far, one of his favorites. Godeaux made a conference on him at the Midis de la Poésie in 1992.
Jean Godeaux died 27 April 2009 at the age of 86.
Baron
Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
Jean Godeaux was a Belgian
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 1982 until 1989.
Jean Godeaux studied both law and economics, and started his career in 1947 at the NBB in the Foreign Affairs department. From 1949 until 1955, he was a member of the Belgian delegation to the International Monetary Fund
International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
. When he returned to Brussels in 1955, he was appointed as a director of the Banque Lambert, where he subsequently became co-administrator, and later chairman of the board
Chairman of the Board
The Chairman of the Board is a seat of office in an organization, especially of corporations.Chairman of the Board may also refer to:*Chairman of the Board , a 1998 film*Chairmen of the Board , a 1970s American soul music group...
of the bank. He was involved in the preparations for the merger with the Banque de Bruxelles, which would lead to the creation of the Banque Bruxelles Lambert. Godeaux resigned in 1974, before the finalisation of the merger, in order to become the president of the Banking Commission of Belgium, and in 1979 he joined the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
’s Banking Advisory Committee.
When he was appointed as governor of the NBB in 1982, he was immediately faced with the 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:...
. Due to this devaluation the relations with Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
had been seriously disrupted and he had the task to normalize the relations.
In 1988, Jean Godeaux became president of the Committee of Governors of the Central Banks of the Member States of the EEC
EEC
EEC is an abbreviation that usually refers to the European Economic Community, the forerunner to the European Union.It may also refer to;* The East Erie Commercial Railroad, a shortline in Pennsylvania...
, and of 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....
. In 1989 he contributed to the preparation of the Delors Report
Jacques Delors
Jacques Lucien Jean Delors is a French economist and politician, the eighth President of the European Commission and the first person to serve three terms in that office .-French Politics:...
. He left the NBB in 1990, after which he joined the board of the Société Générale de Belgique
Société Générale de Belgique
The Société Générale de Belgique was one of the largest companies that ever existed in Belgium. It was founded in 1822 by William I, and existed until 2003, when its then sole shareholder, Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux, merged it with Tractebel to form Suez-Tractebel.-History:As part of the terms of the...
, where he stayed until 1996. He was succeeded 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...
as governor of the NBB.
Jean Godeaux had a passion for poetry. The poet Arthur Rimbaud
Arthur Rimbaud
Jean Nicolas Arthur Rimbaud was a French poet. Born in Charleville, Ardennes, he produced his best known works while still in his late teens—Victor Hugo described him at the time as "an infant Shakespeare"—and he gave up creative writing altogether before the age of 21. As part of the decadent...
was, by far, one of his favorites. Godeaux made a conference on him at the Midis de la Poésie in 1992.
Jean Godeaux died 27 April 2009 at the age of 86.
Source
- Entretien avec le Baron Jean Godeaux à propos de la lutte contre la corruption (French)
- Jean Godeaux, Report on the Measurement of International Capital Flows, Balance of Payments Compilation Guide, published by the International Monetary Fund, page 65.