By letter of 16 December 2005, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland nominated Mr Simon Brooks (Director, Macroeconomic Policy and International Finance Directorate, HM Treasury) for appointment as full member of the Bank's Board of Directors to succeed Mr John Kingman, who has resigned.

On 21 December 2005, the Governors of the EIB were invited, by written procedure, to vote on this proposed appointment.

The decision to appoint Mr Brooks was taken on 18 January 2006, the date on which the Bank received the requisite majority of votes in favour by the Governors.

Mr Simon Brooks has been appointed for the remainder of his predecessor's term of office, which will expire in 2008 at the end of the Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors during which the annual report, balance sheet and profit and loss account for the 2007 financial year are examined.