Born in Solingen, North Rhine-Westphalia

Studied economics at the Université de Droit, d’Economie et des Sciences: Aix-Marseille III and at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms University, Bonn; study visit at the Banque de France. Graduated in economics

Research assistant at Bonn University’s Institute for International Economic Policy

Awarded PhD by Bonn University

Employee with the International Monetary Fund in Washington D.C.

Secretary General of the German Council of Economic Experts

Head of the Deutsche Bundesbank’s Monetary Policy and Analysis Division, and Deputy Head of the Economics Department

Head of the Department for Economic and Fiscal Policy at the Federal Chancellor’s Office
Latterly also personal representative of the Federal Chancellor charged with preparations for the world economic summits of the G8 and G20 countries

President of the Deutsche Bundesbank
Responsible for the Communications Department, the Legal Department, the Economics Department and the Research Centre
Member of the Governing Council of the ECB
Governor of the International Monetary Fund
Member of the Board of Directors of the Bank for International Settlements
Member of the Steering Committee of the Financial Stability Board (FSB)
Member of the Steering Committee of the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB)