During the 24th Board Meeting of the European Public Employment Services (PES) Network, hosted by the Danish Presidency on 11-12 December 2025 in Copenhagen, Heads of PES came together to elect a new Chair and first Vice-Chair, discuss how PES can contribute to Europe's competitiveness and set the stage for future cooperation.

With the Board Meeting taking place in the old historic warehouse, Eigtveds Pakhus, once used for the inspection of luxury goods brought in by merchant ships, the scene was set for a thematic discussion on the future competitiveness of Europe. Following opening remarks from Sine Frederiksen, Permanent Secretary at the Danish Ministry of Employment, and Jens-Erik Zebis, Director-General at the Danish Agency for Labour Market and Recruitment, Professor Claus Thustrup Kreiner presented the recent Danish employment reform. He highlighted how the reform contributes to strengthening competitiveness, setting the scene for subsequent workshops.

In the workshops, board members were invited to discuss how PES contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of businesses in Europe. The workshops focused on business services, upskilling of the workforce, and increased labour mobility - both nationally and internationally.

Election of Vanessa Ahuja as new Chair and Thibaut Guilluy as first Vice-Chair

The Board elected Vanessa Ahuja, Executive Director of Benefits and International Affairs in the German PES as the new PES Network Chair. Her priorities include strengthening peer learning, promoting fair mobility across borders, and making use of the network as a platform for innovation, securing the future and strengthening contributions to EU policies.

Thibaut Guilluy, Director-General of France Travail, was elected First Vice-Chair. His focus will be on PES-economic stakeholders' cooperation, improving data sharing, and supporting an inclusive labour market with tailored solutions for jobseekers and all employers.

A warm thank you was delivered to the departing First Vice-Chair Inga Balnanosiene, Head of the Lithuanian PES.

Preparing future cooperation

Following discussion with Mario Nava, Director General of DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, Heads of PES engaged in a reflection on the achievements and future of the Network, as part of the ongoing evaluation of Decision No 573/2014/EU that established the Network. They also exchanged with Antoine Kasel, Director for International Affairs, on the Fair Labour Mobility Package, to be adopted by the Commission in 2026. As the 4th cycle of benchlearning is coming to an end, the Board reflected on lessons learnt and options for the launch of a 5th cycle.

The PES Board Meeting closed after a hand-over from the Danish to the Cypriot PES, who presented priorities of the upcoming Presidency starting on 1 January 2026. The next Board meeting will take place in June 2026 in Cyprus.

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