Olivier Vanneste

Olivier Paul Jules, Baron Vanneste (18 May 1930 – 18 September 2014) was a Belgian politician and economist. A member of the CD&V (formerly known as the Christian People's Party, CVP, until 2001), Vanneste served as the Governor of West Flanders from 1979 until 1997.[1][2]

Vanneste, an economist, was born in Kortrijk, Belgium.[1] In 1954, he published his book, Structurele Werkloosheid in West-Vlaanderen, which was later utilized an outline for economic development in West Flanders.[2] Vanneste served as the founder and managing director of both the West-Vlaamse Economische Raad and the West-Vlaams Economisch Studiebureau.[1]

He served as the Governor of West Flanders from 1979 to 1997.

Vanneste stepped down as governor in 1997.[2] Following his retirement from public office, he served as a director of several business and organizations, including KBC Bank, the Port of Bruges-Zeebrugge, and the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven).[2] In 2001, Vanneste was raised into the Belgian nobility by King Albert II and given the noble title Baron for life.[3]

Olivier Vanneste died on 18 September 2014 in Bruges at the age of 84.[2]