Roberto Colomer Blasco, chief executive officer of Unión de Créditos Inmobiliarios (UCI), has been confirmed as the new chair of the European Mortgage Federation (EMF), with Alpha Bank Romania executive president Sergiu Oprescu becoming deputy chair.

The appointments were endorsed by the general assembly of the EMF, the industry body announced today (Monday).

UCI’s Colmer represents the Spanish Mortgage Association (AHE) vis-à-vis the EMF, while Oprescu, who is also general manager of Alpha Bank Group international network, represents the Romanian Association of Banks.

Colomer steps up from being deputy chair and takes over from Elisabeth Minjauw, programme director, sustainable finance, at BNP Paribas Fortis.

“I appreciate the confidence of the members of the EMF in appointing me to the position of Chairman for the next two years, which will present important challenges due to the uncertainties of the current economic and social environments,” he said, “but which will undoubtedly also present significant opportunities in terms of further developing sustainability, accessibility and efficiency in European mortgage markets.

“In this role, I look forward to working with the EMF secretariat to further enhance the EMF as a hub for all stakeholders focusing on housing policy and its financing.”

Colomer’s two-year mandate as EMF chair runs until the end of 2024. Nykredit head of investor relations Morten Bækmand Nielsen, who chairs the European Covered Bond Council (ECBC), has meanwhile taken over Minjauw’s role as president of the EMF-ECBC.