Mediaroom

• CLEPA members firmly opt for strength and continuity to navigate challenging times for the sector
• Mr Krieger brings over 15 years of experience in EU affairs, the last four as CLEPA Head of Government Affairs

CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, has appointed Mr Benjamin Krieger as new Secretary General as of 1 September 2022, succeeding Ms Sigrid de Vries. Mr Krieger, a German national, has been CLEPA’s Head of Government Affairs since 2018, and worked in various positions in Brussels since 2007.

Speaking at the CLEPA General Assembly, held in Brussels on 9 June, Mr Thorsten Muschal, CLEPA President and EVP Sales & Program Management at Forvia Group said, “Since his first days at CLEPA, Benjamin Krieger has shown strong leadership and profound understanding of European policies, as well as of complex technical and political aspects shaping the daily reality of global automotive supply chains. Benjamin has worked closely with Sigrid and the association members on strategic matters, and proven extraordinary capacity to anticipate and react to industry needs. With this appointment, the CLEPA membership firmly opts for strength and continuity to navigate the highly challenging times for our sector. I’m convinced Benjamin will further strengthen the voice of the organisation.”

Benjamin Krieger adds, “I am very much looking forward to take on this new challenge, working together with the CLEPA team and the membership to promote the interests of this important industry for Europe.  The mobility transition represents both a huge challenge and opportunity, which CLEPA will continue to help shape with a solutions-oriented approach. I warmly thank Sigrid de Vries for her leadership and am confident we will continue to collaborate also in the future.”

As reported on 1 June, Ms de Vries will leave CLEPA on 31 August to become Director General of ACEA, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association in Brussels. She adds, “I wish Benjamin and all the team success in this new chapter. CLEPA is well positioned with strong competence and culture in the secretariat, and highly engaged members. We’ll now work on a smooth transition over the next few months.”

Benjamin Krieger has led the government affairs team of CLEPA for over four years, focusing on carbon and pollutant emissions standards, the wider sustainability agenda, digitalisation of mobility, international trade, and competitiveness. Originally from Germany, Mr Krieger has been working in the EU policy sphere for 15 years, with stations as Head of Office and Press Spokesperson for a delegation of MEPs in the European Parliament and advising businesses and associations as a consultant for strategic political communication.