Olaf Sleijpen new President of De Nederlandsche Bank

Press release

Olaf Sleijpen will become the new president of De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) from 1 July 2025. On the recommendation of DNB’s Supervisory Board, Minister of Finance Eelco Heinen on Friday nominated Olaf Sleijpen for appointment by Royal Decree. Sleijpen, a member of the Executive Board of DNB since early 2020, succeeds Klaas Knot, who has been President of DNB since 2011.

Published: 13 June 2025

Olaf Sleijpen

Martin van Rijn, chairman of DNB’s Supervisory Board: “Olaf Sleijpen is an authority at the nexus of monetary policy, financial stability and European cooperation. He combines substantive depth with managerial experience, has a highly developed social compass and an extensive background at DNB, in both the monetary domain and supervision. We are confident that he will lead DNB with authority and vision during a period of complex economic and societal transitions.

Naturally, we would like to express our deep gratitude to Klaas Knot for his extraordinary commitment and leadership over the past 14 years. Under his stewardship, DNB has evolved into a respected and forward-looking central bank, both in the Netherlands and throughout Europe.” 

Klaas Knot, outgoing President of De Nederlandsche Bank: “DNB has undergone many changes in recent years in a rapidly evolving financial world. I am very proud of everything our organisation has achieved.

Olaf is a leader who embodies substance, integrity and the ability to forge connections. I am confident that he will continue to develop DNB with authority and vision. I wish him every success and satisfaction in this new role.” 

Olaf Sleijpen, incoming President of De Nederlandsche Bank: “It is a great honour to take on the leadership of DNB. The societal challenges we face – from price stability and financial resilience, to technological innovation and geopolitical fragmentation – call for a central bank that is independent and agile, as well as visible in our society.

In the uncertain and rapidly changing world of today, it is essential to stand firm for financial and economic stability, while also working to ensure an accessible and innovative financial system. We will continue to do so in a transparent manner, at the heart of society, deploying our resources efficiently and cost-consciously.

DNB has built a solid reputation under the leadership of Klaas Knot. I intend to build on that foundation and lead DNB with dedication. With room for innovation, together with our employees, with the financial sector and with our national and international partners. And always mindful of changing economic and social conditions. I look forward to making my contribution with full conviction.”

With Sleijpen’s appointment, the Executive Board Member for Monetary Affairs position will be vacant from 1 July 2025. In the period ahead, the Supervisory Board will consider a successor for this position.

About Olaf Sleijpen

Professor Olaf C.H.M. Sleijpen (b. 1970) has been a member of DNB’s Executive Board since 1 February 2020, with responsibility for the Monetary Affairs portfolio. In this role, he is responsible for economic policy and research, financial stability, financial markets, payments & market infrastructures and statistics. Previously, he held various managerial positions at DNB, including as divisional director of Insurance Supervision, Supervision Policy and Pension Supervision.

Before his return to DNB in 2011, Sleijpen worked at the ABP pension fund and APG pension administrator, among other positions. From 2001 to 2004, he was a personal adviser to the then President of the European Central Bank, Wim Duisenberg.

He studied economics at Maastricht University and obtained his PhD from the University of Groningen. Since 2007, he has been a Professor of European Economic Policy at Maastricht University.

More information

Media representatives can contact Ivo Bökkerink by email at  i.j.w.bokkerink@dnb.nl or +31 6 11 40 52 02

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