28.02.2025
At a special ceremony held on February 26, 2025, at UBB's headquarters in Sofia, graduates of the sixth edition of the qualification program "KBC Bulgaria – ESG Academy" received their certificates for successfully completing their training as sustainable management specialists.
The employees who successfully completed the program were congratulated on their achievement by Frank Jansen, Member of the Management Board and Executive Director of SME Banking at UBB, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marina Stefanova, Vice-Dean for Sustainability, Empowerment, and Engagement.
"For three consecutive years, the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration and KBC Bulgaria have been working together to create professionals and ambassadors of sustainability. I am delighted that now not just ten but a total of 170 people at KBC speak the same language, know what they are doing, and where they are going", said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stefanova.
The certificates were presented by Christof De Mil, Chairman of the Management Board and Chief Executive Officer of UBB. In his address to the ESG Academy graduates, he stated:
"Although the ESG agenda seems to be under pressure, sustainable development cannot simply be dictated by short-term political directives. Deregulation is not the answer. Consistency, along with decisive simplification and encouragement of business and society, is the right way forward. Caring for a sustainable and inclusive world reflects a long-term commitment and vision that society must collectively recognize and embrace, as it concerns the future of both our planet and its inhabitants. I am proud that we at UBB and KBC Group embody this perspective and approach, and I am excited to present these certificates to another group that has successfully completed our training program. Let us continue to work with dedication and consistency, ensuring that we and our clients are better prepared and more effective in tackling challenges and seizing the many opportunities associated with building sustainable business models, accountability, the green and circular economy, climate policy, and beyond".
"KBC Bulgaria – ESG Academy" is a certification program for sustainable management specialists, organized by UBB in partnership with FEBA at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski". It serves as an example of an effective public-private partnership on a topic of high priority for both society and business. The academy was launched in 2022 and holds two editions each year – one in spring and one in autumn. So far, over 170 employees from all KBC Group companies in Bulgaria – UBB, DZI, UBB Interlease, UBB Pension Insurance, and Asset Management – have successfully completed the program and received their certificates.