The 25 full members and 25 deputy members of the Chamber of Commerce’s plenary assembly pose for a photo at the reception on Tuesday. Photo: Guy Wolff/Maison Moderne

The 25 full members and 25 deputy members of the Chamber of Commerce’s plenary assembly pose for a photo at the reception on Tuesday. Photo: Guy Wolff/Maison Moderne

On 30 April 2024, the 25 full members and 25 deputy members of the Chamber of Commerce’s plenary assembly were officially inducted. And they have elected their president: Fernand Ernster.

The 25 members of the Chamber of Commerce’s constituent plenary assembly unanimously elected as president of the institution for a five-year term. “We had white smoke,” said the institution’s CEO, , with a smile on his face. The members also decided on the composition of the assembly, naming , , and Alain Rix as vice presidents.

 in February 2023 from , then-president of the Chamber of Commerce, when the latter was appointed head of the CSV list for the legislative elections. “I said it was an interim position [at the time],” Ernster joked at the reception on 30 April where the news was announced. “Well,” he added, “that’s what I told my wife and a few journalists.”

In his speech, he emphasised continuity with the work of the outgoing board as well as Thelen’s talent as CEO before looking ahead to the coming years. Among the challenges he foresees are “boosting the competitiveness and productivity of businesses; technological and environmental transformations; access to affordable energy; and attracting and retaining talent.”

The new plenary assembly--the chamber’s sovereign decision-making body--met for the first time at the formal constituent assembly held prior to the reception. Composed of 25 full members and 25 deputy members, it is divided into the following groups:

Group 1: Commercial activities

Full members:

—Fernand Ernster (Ernster)

(Goeres Horlogerie)

(Arthur Welter Transports)

(Cactus)

—Carole Muller (An Der Backes)

(SLG)

(ZithaSenior)

—Georges Zahlen-Karanatsios (Axiomatic)

Deputies:

—Charles Schroeder (Party Rent Luxembourg)

(Silversquare Luxembourg)

(JPS Consult)

—Danielle Becker-Bauer (Pharmacie du Trèfle)

—Italo di Lorenzo (Amazon Europe Core)

(Itix)

—Roland Heinisch (WEmobility)

—Nadine Kirsch-Wagner (Flesch Immobilière)

Group 2: Companies with financial holdings

Full member:

—Robert Faber (Robo Invest)

Deputies:

—Cornelius Bechtel (Lung Participations and Management)

Group 3: Industry and companies serving industry

Full members:

(Schroeder & Associés)

(Félix Giorgetti)

(SES)

(MCM Import-Export)

(ArcelorMittal Luxembourg)

—Alexandre Schumann (Goodyear Operations)

(Cargolux Airlines International)

—Frank Wagener (Paul Wurth)

Deputies:

(Contern)

—Henri Reding (ArcelorMittal)

(Proximus Luxembourg)

(Enovos Luxembourg)

(CEBI International)

—Elisabeth Fontaine (Brasserie Simon Exploitation)

—Sacha Thill (KPMG)

—Carole Henry (Sotel Réseau & Cie)

Group 4: Banking and other financial activities

Full members:

(BGL BNP Paribas)

(Banque et Caisse d’Epargne de l’Etat)

(Banque Raiffeisen)

—Frank Rückbrodt (Deutsche Bank Luxembourg)

(Banque Internationale Luxembourg)

Deputies:

(Edmond de Rothschild Europe)

—Philippe Seyll (Clearstream Banking)

(Banque de Luxembourg)

(Bank of New York Mellon)

(Société Générale Luxembourg)

Group 5: Insurance

Full member:

(Foyer Assurances)

Deputies:

(La Luxembourgeoise Société Anonyme d’Assurances)

Group 6: Hotels, restaurants and cafés

Full members:

—Alain Rix (Rix Maritime Event Company)

—Romain Weber (Hogalux)

Deputies:

(Beim Bertchen)

—Carole Ewert (Hôtel Heintz)

This article in Paperjam. It has been translated and edited for Delano.