At a dedicated ceremony, held on 26.02.2025 in UBB’s Head Office in Sofia, the alumni class of the Sixth Edition of the KBC Bulgaria – ESG Academy qualification programme, obtained their successful graduation certificates.

They were presented to them by Christof De Mil, Management Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of UBB. In his address to the ESG Academy alumni he shared: „Despite that the agenda, linked to sustainability recently seems to be under pressure, the sustainable development should not be held hostage to short-term political objectives. Abolishment of regulations is not a solution. Consistency along with decisive simplification of measures and incentives to businesses and the society is the proper way forward. The care for a sustainable and inclusive world reflects the long-term commitment and vision, which the society should collectively acknowledge and embrace, because the future of the Earth and its inhabitants depends on that. I am proud that we at UBB and KBC Group embody this viewpoint, and I am excited to present the certificates of yet another class of graduates, who have successfully completed our training programme. Let us continue working assiduously and consistently, while ensuring for us and our customers better preparation and efficiency in coping with challenges and utilizing the numerous opportunities, linked to constructing of sustainable business models, reporting, green and circular economy, climate-linked policy and others “.

The employees that had successfully graduated from the programme were also congratulated by Frank Jansen, MB Member and Executive Director SME Banking at UBB, and by Assoc. Prof. Marina Stefanova, PhD- Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Economics at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski.

КВС Bulgaria – ESG Academy is a certification programme for specialists in sustainable management, which is being organized by UBB in partnership with the Faculty of Economics at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski and is an example of effective public-private partnership on this topic, being of priority for businesses and the society. The Academy was launched in 2022, and every year there are two editions - a spring and an autumn one. Up until this moment over 170 employees from all KBC Group entities in Bulgaria - UBB, DZI, UBB Interlease, UBB Pension Insurance and Asset Management - have successfully completed the programme and have obtained their certificates.