The ESSO Board of Directors consists of up to 15 Directors, each serving a two-year term. Apart from the President-Elect, President, and Past-President roles, Board mandates may be renewed in line with the specific renewal provisions applicable to each position within the Board.
The following positions are open for election or re-election:
1) Positions open to any full member in good standing residing in Europe*
- Education & Training Committee Chair
- 6 positions of Ordinary Director
2) Position open to any young ESSO member residing in Europe* under 40 y.o. and/or within 15 years of graduation from medical school, who is not in a clinical leadership role.
- Young ESSO Chair
3) Positions open to full members having served as a Board member for a minimum of two years at the time of election
- President-Elect
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Deputy Secretary
*”Europe” shall be defined as the Member States of the European Region of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Nominations are open until 21st August 2026.
Serving as a Director is far more than a professional distinction. Directors are expected to actively contribute to the Society’s work by following through assigned responsibilities and supporting ESSO in the best of their abilities. Candidates should demonstrate the appropriate expertise and have sufficient availability to dedicate time to the development and implementation of tasks and activities entrusted to them.
More specifically, candidates should meet the following criteria:
- Good knowledge of the Society and its mission
- Active membership of the society
- Appropriate expertise to support the goals and mission of the Society
- Ability to regularly participate in board of Directors meeting and fulfil the responsibilities associated with their role throughout their term of office
- Availability and commitment to devote time to developing and implementing assigned Society activities and initiatives
- Commitment to diversity and inclusive leadership
Candidates are invited to read carefully the role and responsibilities of the position they apply for.
Review process
Once the nominations phase is closed, the ESSO Nominating Committee* will review the nominations received and present a slate to the Board of Directors. The slate of individuals presented by the Nominating Committee and validated by the Board of Directors will be voted on by the General Assembly at its meeting of 5th November 2026 to be held in Madrid, Spain, in conjunction with the ESSO 45 Congress.
New Board members will begin their terms at the close of the General Assembly meeting of Thursday 5th November 2026.
*The Nominating Committee is composed of the President, President-Elect, Past-President, Past-Past-President and the Board of Directors, considered as a single member of the Nominating Committee, acting jointly and represented by the Secretary.
ESSO is committed to fostering gender equality across our community. Our Society is strengthened by the diversity of expertise, experiences, and perspectives of its members. While progress has been made in recent years, women remain underrepresented within the surgical profession. ESSO strives to provide an inclusive environment in which all members are encouraged and empowered to contribute and have their voices heard equally.
