Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou
Encyclopedia
Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou (born 5 December 1936), is the Principal Private Secretary to the King of Belgium
. When Albert II of Belgium
succeeded his brother Baudouin I of Belgium, he kept his private secretary, so Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou has served two kings. Together with Jan Willems, Marshal of the Royal Household, he represents the King at the board of the King Baudouin Foundation
.
Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou is a French-speaking Christian Democrat (CDH, previously known as PSC). He is a son of Henry van Ypersele, an engineer who worked for the business group of the late Baron Empain
and Martha Bansa de Kinder. Henry van Ypersele was the brother of Baron Adelin van Ypersele de Strihou and himself administrator of Royale Belge, the predecessor of Axa
. Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou is married to Brigitte de Bus de Warnaffe and together they have four daughters: Marie-Noëlle, Vinciane, Christina and Nathalie. His daughter, Nathalie van Ypersele de Strihou, is a journalist at the business magazine Trends Tendances.
Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou is nicknamed "Van Yp" in Belgium's political and media circles.
. He studied literature at the Facultés universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix
(FUNDP) in Namur
and in addition he studied law and economy at the Catholic University of Louvain. He was an assistant at the University of Lovanium
of Léopoldville
in Congo
for some months, after which he went to Yale University
, on a NATO-scholarship, where he obtained a PhD in economics under Richard Cooper.
, he met professor Robert Triffin
, of the International Monetary Fund
(IMF). Robert Triffin, his mentor, provided him with a job at the IMF in Washington, D.C., and later in 1969 at Jakarta
(Indonesia
). In Washington, D.C., at the IMF, he shared a room, as a junior economist, with Wim Duisenberg
, the later President of the European Central Bank
. Due to his talent, he acquired international fame in a short time. State leaders, such as the German
chancellor Helmut Schmidt
and the French president Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
praized his expertise on economics and finance. In the early seventies he returned to Belgium, where he joined the Empain-Group, and became Vice-President of Electrorail. In 1972 he became an advisor at the cabinet of André Vlerick
. He became consultant of three successive Belgian Ministers for Finance: Willy De Clercq
, Gaston Geens
and in 1981 of Robert Vandeputte
. In 1976, he was appointed by Willy De Clercq as inspector-general of the Belgian treasury
. In 1978 he became (vice-) Chief of Cabinet of Leo Tindemans, and later also of Paul Vanden Boeynants
, and Wilfried Martens
.
Between 1972 and 1983, he taught at the Université Catholique de Louvain
(UCL) and the Institut Catholique des Hautes Etudes Commerciales (ICHEC) in Brussels. At the end of the 1970s, he was President of the Monetary Committee of the European Union, and played a particularly important role in the design and establishment of the European Monetary System
(EMS). In 1981, together with Alfons Verplaetse
, he was one of the architects of the devaluation
of the Belgian Franc, in order to stimulate the Belgian economy. In 1983, he succeeded Jean-Marie Piret and became principal private secretary of Baudouin I of Belgium, and later also of his brother Albert II of Belgium
. Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou is a member of the monetary committee of the European Union
, and also works for the IMF and the Worldbank as a financial expert.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. When Albert II of Belgium
Albert II of Belgium
Albert II is the current reigning King of the Belgians, a constitutional monarch. He is a member of the royal house "of Belgium"; formerly this house was named Saxe-Coburg-Gotha...
succeeded his brother Baudouin I of Belgium, he kept his private secretary, so Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou has served two kings. Together with Jan Willems, Marshal of the Royal Household, he represents the King at the board of the King Baudouin Foundation
King Baudouin Foundation
The King Baudouin Foundation is a public benefit foundation in Brussels, Belgium, established in 1976.Named after Baudouin of Belgium, Belgium's late head of state, its mission is to contribute to improving the living conditions of the population. KBF, both a grantmaking and an operating...
.
Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou is a French-speaking Christian Democrat (CDH, previously known as PSC). He is a son of Henry van Ypersele, an engineer who worked for the business group of the late Baron Empain
Baron Empain
Édouard Louis Joseph, Baron Empain was a wealthy Belgian engineer, entrepreneur, financier and industrialist, as well as an amateur Egyptologist.-Early life:...
and Martha Bansa de Kinder. Henry van Ypersele was the brother of Baron Adelin van Ypersele de Strihou and himself administrator of Royale Belge, the predecessor of Axa
AXA
AXA S.A. is a French global insurance group headquartered in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. AXA is a conglomerate of independently run businesses, operated according to the laws and regulations of many different countries. The AXA group of companies engage in life, health and other forms of...
. Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou is married to Brigitte de Bus de Warnaffe and together they have four daughters: Marie-Noëlle, Vinciane, Christina and Nathalie. His daughter, Nathalie van Ypersele de Strihou, is a journalist at the business magazine Trends Tendances.
Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou is nicknamed "Van Yp" in Belgium's political and media circles.
Education
Jacques van Ypersele went to school at the Jesuit college Saint-Michel of BrusselsBrussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
. He studied literature at the Facultés universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix
Facultés universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix
The University of Namur or Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix , in Namur , is a Jesuit, Catholic private university in the French Community of Belgium...
(FUNDP) in Namur
Namur (city)
Namur is a city and municipality in Wallonia, in southern Belgium. It is both the capital of the province of Namur and of Wallonia....
and in addition he studied law and economy at the Catholic University of Louvain. He was an assistant at the University of Lovanium
University of Lovanium
The University of Lovanium was a Catholic Jesuit university in Leopoldville/Leopoldstad in Belgian Congo.-History:The university was established in 1954 at Kimwenza.Its name was derived from the old name, Lovanium, for Leuven in Belgium...
of Léopoldville
Kinshasa
Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the Congo River....
in Congo
Belgian Congo
The Belgian Congo was the formal title of present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo between King Leopold II's formal relinquishment of his personal control over the state to Belgium on 15 November 1908, and Congolese independence on 30 June 1960.-Congo Free State, 1884–1908:Until the latter...
for some months, after which he went to Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, on a NATO-scholarship, where he obtained a PhD in economics under Richard Cooper.
Career
In Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, he met professor Robert Triffin
Robert Triffin
Robert Triffin was a Belgian economist best known for his critique of the Bretton Woods system of fixed currency exchange rates. His critique became known later as Triffin's dilemma.Triffin received his doctorate degree from Harvard University in 1938 and taught there from 1939 until 1942...
, of the International Monetary Fund
International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
(IMF). Robert Triffin, his mentor, provided him with a job at the IMF in Washington, D.C., and later in 1969 at Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
(Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
). In Washington, D.C., at the IMF, he shared a room, as a junior economist, with Wim Duisenberg
Wim Duisenberg
Willem Frederik "Wim" Duisenberg was a Dutch politician of the Labour Party . He was the first President of the European Central Bank from 1 July 1998 until 31 October 2003. He was instrumental in the Introduction of the euro in the European Union in 2002. He was also credited for making numerous...
, the later President of the European Central Bank
European Central Bank
The European Central Bank is the institution of the European Union that administers the monetary policy of the 17 EU Eurozone member states. It is thus one of the world's most important central banks. The bank was established by the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1998, and is headquartered in Frankfurt,...
. Due to his talent, he acquired international fame in a short time. State leaders, such as the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
chancellor Helmut Schmidt
Helmut Schmidt
Helmut Heinrich Waldemar Schmidt is a German Social Democratic politician who served as Chancellor of West Germany from 1974 to 1982. Prior to becoming chancellor, he had served as Minister of Defence and Minister of Finance. He had also served briefly as Minister of Economics and as acting...
and the French president Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
Valéry Marie René Georges Giscard d'Estaing is a French centre-right politician who was President of the French Republic from 1974 until 1981...
praized his expertise on economics and finance. In the early seventies he returned to Belgium, where he joined the Empain-Group, and became Vice-President of Electrorail. In 1972 he became an advisor at the cabinet of André Vlerick
André Vlerick
André, Baron Vlerick was a Belgian politician, businessman, professor and founder of the Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School. He graduated in economy at the University of Ghent and became a professor at the university...
. He became consultant of three successive Belgian Ministers for Finance: Willy De Clercq
Willy De Clercq
Willy Clarisse Elvire Hector, Viscount De Clercq was a Belgian liberal politician.De Clercq was born in Ghent...
, Gaston Geens
Gaston Geens
Gaston C.S.A. Geens was a Flemish politician and minister-president of Flanders....
and in 1981 of Robert Vandeputte
Robert Vandeputte
Robert Vandeputte was a Belgian economist, civil servant, politician, and former governor of the National Bank of Belgium from 1971 until 1975.-Source:* * Robert Vandeputte, Een machteloos minister, Standaard, 1982...
. In 1976, he was appointed by Willy De Clercq as inspector-general of the Belgian treasury
Treasury
A treasury is either*A government department related to finance and taxation.*A place where currency or precious items is/are kept....
. In 1978 he became (vice-) Chief of Cabinet of Leo Tindemans, and later also of Paul Vanden Boeynants
Paul Vanden Boeynants
Paul Emile François Henri Vanden Boeynants was a Belgian politician. He served as the 41st Prime Minister of Belgium for two brief periods ....
, and Wilfried Martens
Wilfried Martens
Wilfried Martens is a Belgian politician. He was born in Sleidinge . Martens was the 44th Prime Minister of Belgium from 3 April 1979 to 6 April 1981 and 17 December 1981 to 7 March 1992....
.
Between 1972 and 1983, he taught at the Université Catholique de Louvain
Université catholique de Louvain
The Université catholique de Louvain, sometimes known, especially in Belgium, as UCL, is Belgium's largest French-speaking university. It is located in Louvain-la-Neuve and in Brussels...
(UCL) and the Institut Catholique des Hautes Etudes Commerciales (ICHEC) in Brussels. At the end of the 1970s, he was President of the Monetary Committee of the European Union, and played a particularly important role in the design and establishment of the European Monetary System
European Monetary System
There are three stages of monetary cooperation in the European Union.-Background:European currency exchange rate stability has been one of the most important objectives of European policy makers at least since the Second World War....
(EMS). In 1981, together with Alfons Verplaetse
Alfons Verplaetse
Alfons "Fons", Viscount Verplaetse is a Belgian economist and former Governor of the National Bank of Belgium from 1989 until 1999. He was one of the architects of the devaluation of Belgian Frank in 1982 when he worked at the cabinet of Wilfried Martens in the government Martens V...
, he was one of the architects of the devaluation
Devaluation
Devaluation is a reduction in the value of a currency with respect to those goods, services or other monetary units with which that currency can be exchanged....
of the Belgian Franc, in order to stimulate the Belgian economy. In 1983, he succeeded Jean-Marie Piret and became principal private secretary of Baudouin I of Belgium, and later also of his brother Albert II of Belgium
Albert II of Belgium
Albert II is the current reigning King of the Belgians, a constitutional monarch. He is a member of the royal house "of Belgium"; formerly this house was named Saxe-Coburg-Gotha...
. Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou is a member of the monetary committee of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, and also works for the IMF and the Worldbank as a financial expert.
Source
- King Baudouin Foundation (press release)
- Gui Polspoel, Pol Van den Driessche, Koning en onderkoning. Over de invloed van het Hof en de macht van Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou, Leuven, Van Halewyck, 2001
- Jan Van Den Berghe, Noblesse Oblige, Kroniek van de Belgische adel, Globe, Roularta books, Groot-Bijgaarden, 1997, pp. 171 – 178
- Willem F Duisenberg: Congratulatory speech at the National Bank of Belgium’s 150th anniversary