Patrick Krekels
About Patrick Krekels
Patrick Krekels serves as the General Counsel at SWIFT, a position he has held since 2016. He has an extensive legal background, including previous roles at Philips and SWIFT, and holds multiple degrees in Law and Economics from KU Leuven and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Work at SWIFT
Patrick Krekels has served as General Counsel at SWIFT since 2016. In this role, he oversees legal matters and provides guidance on compliance and regulatory issues. Prior to his current position, he worked at SWIFT as Deputy General Counsel from 2001 to 2015, accumulating 14 years of experience within the organization. His extensive background in legal affairs supports SWIFT's mission in the financial services industry.
Education and Expertise
Patrick Krekels holds an LL.M. from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he studied law from 1987 to 1988. He also completed his law degree at KU Leuven, where he studied from 1981 to 1986. Additionally, he pursued studies in economics at KU Leuven from 1984 to 1987. This diverse educational background equips him with a strong foundation in both legal and economic principles.
Previous Experience at Philips
Before joining SWIFT, Patrick Krekels worked at Philips as General Counsel from 1992 to 2000. During his eight years at Philips, he managed legal affairs and contributed to the company's compliance and regulatory strategies. His experience at Philips further enhanced his expertise in corporate law and governance.
Career Progression at SWIFT
Patrick Krekels began his career at SWIFT as Deputy General Counsel, a position he held for 14 years from 2001 until his promotion to General Counsel in 2016. His long tenure at SWIFT reflects his deep understanding of the organization's legal landscape and his commitment to its operational integrity.
Early Education
Patrick Krekels completed his early education at Pius X from 1975 to 1981. This foundational education set the stage for his later academic pursuits in law and economics, shaping his future career in legal counsel.