Yuriko Backes Appointed New Board Member of Fondation de Luxembourg

Luxembourg's Minister of Finance Yuriko Backes has been appointed a member of the Board of Directors of the Fondation de Luxembourg.

The Fondation de Luxembourg is a public utility foundation created by the Luxembourg State and the Œuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte in December 2008, with the mission of promoting philanthropy.

Ms Backes succeeds former Finance Minister Pierre Gramegna who had held this role since 2014.

A career diplomat, Yuriko Backes is the former Marshal of the Grand Ducal Court. Previously, she served as the representative of the European Commission in Luxembourg and before that as diplomatic adviser to Prime Ministers Jean-Claude Juncker and Xavier Bettel.

During her diplomatic career, Ms Backes held various positions, notably as Deputy Head of Mission at the Luxembourg Embassy in Japan.

"I am delighted with the involvement of Ms Backes, who thus perpetuates the Luxembourg government's commitment to the Fondation de Luxembourg in its mission to promote philanthropy", stated Henri Grethen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fondation de Luxembourg. "On behalf of all the members, I welcome her and I take this opportunity to warmly thank Pierre Gramegna for his commitment and contribution over the past eight years, as well as for his unwavering support".

Yuriko Backes added: "Thanks to the Fondation de Luxembourg, philanthropists and donors have a contact person who supports them in a personalised way. The offer of our financial centre has thus been enriched in an important area. I look forward to my new mission".