The Council of the European Union has extended the mandate of Petra Hielkema as chairperson of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) for a second five-year term, starting on 1 September 2026.

This decision follows a positive assessment by EIOPA’s Board of Supervisors of Hielkema’s conduct and performance during her first term, as well as a recommendation by the board for her term to be prolonged.

Hielkema first assumed the role of EIOPA chairperson on 1 September 2021 for a period of five years, which, before the reappointment, was due to expire on 31 August 2026.

The Council’s evaluation concluded that Hielkema’s performance was satisfactory and that her continued leadership would contribute to the effective fulfilment of the EIOPA’s mandate.

Commenting on her reappointment, Hielkema said: “I’m honoured to continue serving in this capacity and to contribute to a stable, future-proof and consumer-centric financial sector in Europe. I look forward to building on the progress made together with EIOPA staff, the supervisory community and our stakeholders in recent years.

“We are determined to ensure that insurers and occupational pension funds are equipped to meet the evolving needs of citizens and businesses on the continent – and to strengthen our society’s resilience in these challenging times.”

The regulations state that the term of office of the chairperson of EIOPA is for a period of five years and can be extended once.

That regulation also provides that, during the nine months preceding the end of the five-year term, the Board of Supervisors of EIOPA is to conduct an evaluation and that, taking that evaluation into account, the Council, acting on a proposal from the Board of Supervisors and with the assistance of the Commission, can extend the chairperson’s term.

Before becoming EIOPA chairperson, Hielkema served as director for insurance supervision at the De Nederlandsche Bank, where she was responsible for the prudential supervision of the Dutch insurance sector.

She also served in two positions at EIOPA before becoming chairperson, including alternate on the Board of Supervisors and chair of the policy steering committee.

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