Jo Deblaere, Accenture’s Chief Operating Officer and Group Chief Executive—Europe, Appointed New Chairman of JA-YE Europe Board of Directors
Brussels, April 8th, 2014 /3BL Media/ - Junior Achievement – Young Enterprise (JA-YE) Europe, Member of JA Worldwide®, welcomes Jo Deblaere, Accenture’s chief operating officer and group chief executive—Europe, as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr Deblaere served as a member of our Board of Directors for the last two years. His appointment underscores Accenture’s longstanding commitment to Junior Achievement in Europe and around the world.
“We share JA-YE Europe’s commitment to addressing the issue of unemployment among young people and are pleased to support the organization’s mission to instill in them the entrepreneurial skills and attitudes that are essential to succeed in the jobs of tomorrow,” said Mr. Deblaere. “Supporting Junior Achievement’s work helps bring to life Accenture’s Skills to Succeed corporate citizenship initiative, which aims to equip 700,000 people around the world by 2015 with the skills to get a job or build a business.”
Mr Deblaere succeeds outgoing Chair Michael Bray, Vice Chair of Clifford Chance, who is one of the organization’s longest-serving board members. Mr Bray is a passionate advocate of JA’s work and will remain a director. He will also continue to serve on the JA Worldwide Board of Governors.
“Now, more than ever before, it’s critical that we bring the real world experience to the classroom and help young people realize their potential. I am proud of having served an organization with such impact on European youth and one which has grown so substantially in recent years. I know I am leaving a mature organization in very competent hands.” Michael Bray, Vice Chair Clifford Chance.
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About Junior Achievement – Young Enterprise Europe (also known as JA-YE Europe)
JA-YE Europe is Europe’s largest provider of entrepreneurship education programmes, reaching 3.2 million students in 39 countries in 2013. Funded by businesses, institutions, foundations and individuals, JA-YE brings the public and private sectors together to provide young people in primary and secondary schools and early university with experiences that promote the skills, understanding and perspective that they will need to succeed in a global economy. The JA-YE Company Programme is recognised by the European Commission Enterprise Directorate General as a ‘Best Practice in Entrepreneurship Education’. JA-YE Europe is the European Regional Operating Center for JA Worldwide®
For more information, visit www.ja-ye.org
For more information
Elina Konstantinou
Junior Achievement-Young Enterprise Europe
Phone: + 32 2 735 97 20
elina.konstantinou@ja-ye.org
