Brussels, 12 June 2024
Today, the European Commission has decided to appoint Anna Athanasopoulou to the function of Director ‘Planning, Finance and Digital Solutions’ at its Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), (DG GROW). This Commission department is responsible for developing and managing policies relating to the internal market for goods and services; industrial policy and competitiveness; policies to support SMEs and foster entrepreneurship. The date of effect will be determined later.
Ms Athanasopoulou, a Greek national, brings over 22 years of professional experience to her new role, including nearly 10 years in management positions at the Commission. She is recognised for her leadership abilities and her talent for developing new strategies with a results-driven approach. In this role, she will draw on her extensive experience in different EU policy areas and the areas covered by DG GROW, including a thorough understanding of the Commission’s financial management framework, strategic planning, legal compliance, internal control standards, and ICT projects.
Anna Athanasopoulou currently serves as the Head of Unit for Proximity, Social Economy, and Creative Industries at DG GROW. Previously, she was Head of Unit for Tourism, Textiles and Creative Industries at DG GROW, Deputy Head of Unit for Creative Europe at the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) and policy assistant to the Deputy Director-General of DG EAC. She also served as a Member of the Cabinet for Androulla Vassiliou, the former Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism, and Youth.
A civil servant of the EU institutions since 2002, Ms Athanasopoulou held a diplomatic role at the Council of the EU liaison office to the UN and WTO in Geneva, Switzerland, before joining the Commission in 2006. She holds PhD and Master’s degrees in History of Art and a Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology.
Source – EU Commission