Nadia Calvino

Nadia Calvino is a Spanish economist and public official who currently serves as the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB). She was also the First Deputy Prime Minister of Spain and Minister of Economy, Trade, and Enterprise. She held multiple ministerial positions under Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, overseeing economic affairs, digital transformation, and business development.

Calvino began her career in the Spanish Ministry of Economy, working in areas related to competition and trade policy. She later joined the European Commission, where she held key roles in financial regulation, competition policy, and budget management. She was appointed Director-General for Budget in 2014, a position she held until 2018.

As Minister of Economy, she played a central role in Spain’s economic policies, particularly in response to the COVID-19 crisis. She introduced financial support measures for businesses and advocated for European funding mechanisms, including recovery funds. She also worked on banking sector consolidation and represented Spain in international economic organisations.

Nadia was a candidate for the Eurogroup presidency but did not secure the position. She later became Chair of the International Monetary and Financial Committee, a key advisory body of the International Monetary Fund.

As EIB President, she focuses on financing projects related to infrastructure, innovation, sustainability, and European security. Under her leadership, the EIB expanded its financial support for Ukraine’s reconstruction and increased investments in clean energy, digital transformation, and defence-related initiatives.

She has been involved in European and international organisations, including the European Stability Mechanism, the IMF, and the World Bank. She has also been a professor at Complutense University. Nadia has dedicated her career to economic policy, financial governance, and European cooperation.

Nadia Calvino was born in A Coruna, Spain. Her father, Jose Maria Calvino, was a director general of Radio Television Espanola (RTVE). She studied economics at the Complutense University of Madrid and later obtained a law degree from the National University of Distance Education (UNED).

Calvino began her professional career in the Spanish Ministry of Economy, working in areas related to competition, economic analysis, and trade policy. She held roles including Deputy Director for Analysis and Macroeconomic Forecasting, Head of the Analysis Services for Labour Market and Prices, and Deputy Director-General of Mergers. She was later appointed Director-General for Competition.

In 2006, she moved to the European Commission, where she took on responsibilities in different directorates. She was Deputy Director-General in the Directorate-General for Competition, focusing on mergers and antitrust matters, and later in the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs. She was also Deputy Director-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union. In 2014, she was appointed Director-General for Budget, where she worked under European Commissioner Gunther Oettinger.

In 2018, she returned to Spain to join the government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez as Minister of Economy and Business. She played a central role in Spain’s economic policies and digital transformation initiatives. In 2020, she became Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation. She later became Second Deputy Prime Minister and then First Deputy Prime Minister. She worked on financial sector reforms, European funding mechanisms, and banking consolidation.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led economic recovery efforts, introducing financial support measures and advocating for European funding programmes. She was involved in negotiations for the European Stability Mechanism and recovery funds. She was also a candidate for the presidency of the Eurogroup but was not elected.

She later chaired the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) of the International Monetary Fund from 2022 to 2023. She was then nominated by the Spanish government to become President of the European Investment Bank (EIB). In December 2023, the Economic and Financial Affairs Council confirmed her for the role.

As EIB President, she oversees financing projects related to infrastructure, sustainability, innovation, and European security. She has led efforts to expand financial support for Ukraine's reconstruction, clean energy investments, digital transformation, and defence-related initiatives. She also represents the EIB in European and international forums.

Calvino has been involved in multiple European and international organisations, including the European Stability Mechanism, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. She has worked on economic publications and has been a professor at the Complutense University of Madrid.

She continues to play a key role in European economic and financial governance, leading the EIB’s efforts in investment and policy-making.

Nadia Calvino's vision focuses on economic stability, sustainable development, and financial innovation. As President of the European Investment Bank, she aims to support investments in infrastructure, digital transformation, and clean energy. She prioritises economic growth, job creation, and European cooperation. She also works on financial stability, ensuring that businesses and governments have access to necessary funding. Under her leadership, the EIB is increasing support for Ukraine’s reconstruction and defence-related projects. She advocates for inclusive and sustainable policies that strengthen Europe’s economy. Her work ensures that investments contribute to long-term development and stability across different sectors and regions.

Nadia Calvino has received several awards and recognitions for her contributions to economic policy and financial governance. She was awarded the Encomienda de la Orden del Mérito Civil in 2015 by King Felipe VI of Spain for her public service. In 2012, she received the Premio Mujer Líder for her leadership in economic policy. She was also recognised as Public Sector Lawyer of the Year in 2007 by Iberian Lawyer. Her leadership in the European Commission and Spanish government has been acknowledged in international economic forums. As President of the European Investment Bank, she continues to influence global financial policies.