The Breakfast Club with Vicky Van Eyck

A candid, off-the-record conversation on power, money and decision-making in Europe, over breakfast at TheMerode.

The Breakfast Club is back.

Our early-morning series returns with a small, closed-door conversation moderated by Philip Tod. Around the table, a select group of members will gather for an in-depth exchange under Chatham House rules.

This edition welcomes Vicky Van Eyck, a leading voice in the European debate on the digital euro and the future of money. As former Executive Director of Positive Money Europe, she has been closely involved in the policy discussions shaping how money may evolve in the years ahead.

The conversation will move beyond technical definitions to focus on the underlying questions: who controls money in Europe, how the digital euro could reshape the role of banks and public institutions, and what is really at stake in the ongoing negotiations between the European Central Bank, the Commission and the financial sector. It will also explore how political priorities, institutional constraints and market dynamics interact in shaping the outcome.

The discussion is designed to be interactive and informal.

7:30 – Welcome, coffee and breakfast

8:00–9:00 – Conversation and audience Q&A, ending sharply at 9:00

Breakfast includes viennoiseries, yoghurt, fruit, granola, overnight oats, chia pudding, fresh juices, tea and coffee.

This format is limited to 20 members and offers the opportunity for a serious conversation in an intimate setting before the working day begins.

speaker

Vicky Van Eyck is a Brussels-based policy expert specialising in the digital euro and the future of money in Europe. As former Executive Director of Positive Money Europe, she has been at the forefront of debates on how central banks, governments and financial institutions shape the economy. Her work focuses on the political choices behind money creation, and how these could be redesigned to better serve society. She is known for making complex financial issues accessible while challenging conventional thinking on the role of banks and public institutions.

moderator

Philip Tod is a European Commission official with over 25 years’ experience in EU policy-making and communication on the economy, financial services and public health in both the European Commission and the European Parliament. A Franco-British national and member of The Mérode since 2023, Philip is currently head of unit responsible for euro protection and euro cash at DG ECFIN of the European Commission. He has previously served as head of unit for communication at DG ECFIN, as well as spokesman and member of cabinet for the EU Health Commissioner. In the European Parliament he served as a policy adviser on financial services in the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee and as spokesman for the Leader of the Liberal Group. He holds an MA in European Politics and Administration from the College of Europe in Bruges and a bachelors degree in Government from the LSE.

The Breakfast Club with Vicky Van Eyck

Vicky Van Eyck

Philip Tod

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The Breakfast Club with Vicky Van Eyck

Vicky Van Eyck

Philip Tod

Become a member

Reach us

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