New Director-General for Research and Innovation

The European Commission has decided to transfer in the interests of the service Marc Lemaître to the function of Director-General in the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD). This Commission department is responsible for EU policy on research, science and innovation, with a view to help create growth and jobs and tackle our biggest societal challenges. The decision will take effect on 16 February 2023.

In his new position, Marc Lemaître, a Luxembourgish national, will draw on his extensive experience of over 25 years in devising and implementing various EU policies, including through 15 years of management experience at the European Commission. He will also benefit from his excellent communication and leadership skills as well as his aptness to conceive innovative solutions in the face of complex policy challenges.

Since 2016, Marc Lemaître has been the Director-General of the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO). He played a key role in developing policies intended to reduce disparities across European regions. More recently, he also oversaw the formulation of several EU policies, such as the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative or React-EU, to spur the recovery of regions from the COVID-19 pandemic and support them in catering for the reception of refugees from Ukraine and in cushioning off the effects of high energy prices on vulnerable households and SMEs.

Previously, he was the Head of Cabinet for the Commissioner for Budget and Financial programming Janusz Lewandowski and for two Commissioners in charge of regional policy Pawel Samecki and Danuta Hübner. Before joining the Commission in 2007, he was Deputy Director for Development Cooperation in the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Prior to that, he served for ten years in the Permanent Representation of Luxembourg to the European Union and was notably in charge of the negotiations on the EU long-term budget 2007-2013.

Source: European Commission