Previous executive directors

Dr Hans Bruyninckx served as the EEA's Executive Director between 1 June 2013 and 31 May 2023. Under his leadership, the EEA has successfully transformed its extensive knowledge base into a more policy-oriented format, ensuring its accessibility and relevance to societal and policy debates. Notably, he played a pivotal role in integrating environmental and climate knowledge within a broader social and economic context. During his mandate, the Agency strengthened its relationships with key stakeholders in Brussels and actively supported the European Green Deal, a significant initiative of the European Union. Moreover, Dr Bruyninckx elevated the EEA's involvement in Copernicus, an EU's earth observation programme.

Before joining the EEA, Dr Bruyninckx dedicated several years to his work at Leuven University. He held the position of General Director at the HIVA Research Institute, specialising in policy research.

Prof. Jacqueline McGlade served as the EEA's Executive Director between 1 June 2003 and 31 May 2013. Throughout her tenure, Professor McGlade was an advocate for leveraging new technologies to enhance information gathering and accessibility. She played a vital role in modernising the EEA's information system based on the principles of Shared Environmental Information System (SEIS).

Before her appointment at the EEA, she held the position of Director of the Centre for Coastal and Marine Sciences of the UK Natural Environment Research Council. She also taught at several universities worldwide, including the United Kingdom and Canada.

Domingo Jiménez-Beltrán served as the EEA's Executive Director of the Agency from 1994 until June 2002. His leadership and contributions were pivotal in establishing the Agency and the European Environment Information and Observation Network (Eionet) as reputable sources of independent and relevant knowledge, supporting environmental policies and policy-making in Europe.

Following his tenure at the EEA, Jiménez-Beltran held several significant positions. He became an Adviser at the Economic Office of the Spanish President, and the founder and first Director of the Spanish Observatory for Sustainability. Additionally, he worked as a consulting engineer and adviser to governments, businesses and institutes. in particular for the Spanish Observatory for Sustainability. Jiménez-Beltrán was an esteemed author, lecturer, and professor who taught specialized courses.

Regrettably, Domingo Jiménez-Beltrán passed away on 7 February 2023.