Jan VANHEVEL, President of the Executive Committee and CEO of the KBC group, has expressed his desire to retire from KBC, with effect from the annual general meeting of 3 May 2012. He will be succeeded by Johan THIJS, currently CEO of KBC's Belgium Business Unit. The appointment of the new CEO is, subject to the approval of the Belgian financial regulator, announced the group.

"KBC Group owes an enormous debt of gratitude to Jan VANHEVEL. He agreed to take the helm in exceedingly difficult circumstances in 2009, postponing the retirement he had originally planned to take in that year", commented Thomas LEYSEN, Chairman of the Board of Directors of KBC Group NV.

 "With Johan THIJS, the board has chosen an energetic leader with a proven track record of success throughout his career. With the support of his colleagues in the Executive Committee, I believe he will lead KBC to a new level of performance", said Thomas LEYSEN.