The society
Our mission: “to improve vascular health for the public benefit” ↓
ABOUT ESVS
The European Society for Vascular Surgery was founded and inaugurated on May 6, 1987 in London. This inaugural meeting was attended by Presidents or Representatives of almost all the National Vascular Societies in Europe, who supported the formation and aims of the ESVS.
The Officers and Members of the Council were proposed and elected, ensuring a satisfactory representation from various European countries. It was further agreed that the Society would generally meet in September each year. The Society has grown enormously since and has now over 3000 members, mostly European, but many from other parts of the world.
ESVS values Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The ESVS is an inclusive organisation, which values and seeks out a diverse membership pool, promotes inclusion among members. We embrace all differences and foster respect and a sense of belonging. We believe that diversity enriches our perspectives, improves our performance and makes everyone feel safe and valued.
VISION
ESVS sets the standards in preventing and managing vascular disease
ESVS is the leading training organisation with standardised and recognised education pathways
ESVS is the leading scientific organisation in vascular care
ESVS is a professional organisation with a sustainable business model
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Members
COUNTRY Representatives

Prof. Maarit Venermo, Finland
2020 – present
ESVS Secretary General
The ESVS Secretary General is elected into a five year term preceded by one year shadowing the current Secretary General. They sit on a number of committees, including the Executive Committee.
The following members have served as Secretary General of the society
- 2020
- 2009 – 2015
- 2004 – 2009
- 1999 – 2004
- 1994 – 1999
- -
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Prof. Sebastian Debus, Germany
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Mr. Simon Parvin, United Kingdom
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Prof. Henrik Sillesen, Denmark
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Prof. Michael Horrocks, United Kingdom
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Prof. Giorgio Biasi, Italy
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Prof. Hero van Urk, The Netherlands
ESVS President
The President of the Society is elected for one year at the Annual General Meeting. The President, President Elect and the Deputy President Elect are part of the Executive Committee.

Philippe Kolh
Current ESVS President
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005
- 2004
- 2003
- 2002
- 2001
- 2000
- 1999
- 1998
- 1997
- 1996
- 1995
- 1994
- 1993
- 1992
- 1991
- 1990
- 1989
- 1988
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Mauro Gargiulo, Italy
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Hence Verhagen, The Netherlands
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Stéphan Haulon, France
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Henrik Sillesen, Denmark
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Alison Halliday, United Kingdom
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Martin Björck, Sweden
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Jürg Schmidli, Switzerland
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Arkadiusz Jawien, Poland
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Jean-Baptiste Ricco, France
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George Hamilton, United Kingdom
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Carlo Setacci, Italy
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Vincent Riambau, Spain
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Gustav Fraedrich, Austria
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Frans Moll, the Netherlands
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John Wolfe, United Kingdom
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Jan Brunkwall, Germany
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Jesper Swedenborg, Sweden (1940-2016)
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Christos Liapis, Greece
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Mauri Lepäntalo, Finland
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Tomislav Sosa (1948-2006), Croatia
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André Nevelsteen, (1951-2009), Belgium
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William Paaske (1948-2016), Denmark
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Anatoly Pokrovsky
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Alain Branchereau, France
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Bert Eikelboom, The Netherlands (1947-2018)
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Lars Norgren, Sweden
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José Fernandes e Fernandes, Portugal
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Peter Bell, United Kingdom
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Takis Balas, Greece
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Georg Kretschmer (1941-2013), Austria
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Paolo Fiorani, Italy
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Emilio Viver Manresa (1935-2012), Spain
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Mieszyslaw Szostek, Poland
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Henner Müller Wiefel, Germany
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Hans O Myhre, Norway