BankTrack this week welcomes a new Executive Director, as Johan Frijns hands over his position to Asensio Rodríguez at the end of September after 22 years of leadership. 

Johan Frijns co-founded BankTrack in 2003, and since then, through his leadership and dedication, BankTrack has evolved into a leading voice in the banking campaign movement – respected by banks, academics, and advocates worldwide. Along the way he has developed and shaped BankTrack’s well-known Dodgy Deals database, and pioneered groundbreaking campaigns, from the “Paris Pledge to Quit Coal” to the “Fossil Banks, No Thanks!” and “Equator Banks, Act!” campaigns. Johan also played a crucial role in bringing bank campaigners together at BankTrack’s famous network meetings and campaigners’ gatherings. His contribution to BankTrack and the wider movement has been immeasurable.

BankTrack’s Chair, Michelle Chan, said: “Nearly 22 years ago, Johan founded BankTrack to establish a powerful global movement to hold banks accountable. Today, BankTrack is among dozens of organizations winning changes at the world’s most influential financial institutions, and driving progress on climate change, human rights, biodiversity and more. We are profoundly grateful for Johan’s vision and ambition, and are proud to carry it forward,”

BankTrack is also excited to introduce Asensio Rodríguez as BankTrack’s new Executive Director. Asensio has held leadership roles at Greenpeace, serving as Communications Director for Greenpeace Spain from 2001, later becoming Executive Director of Greenpeace Spain and then Greenpeace Brazil, where he led large teams, developed impactful campaigns, and successfully expanded fundraising. He was also part of Greenpeace’s Global Leadership Team.

His career has taken him across Latin America, India, and Europe, giving him a broad understanding of cultural and political contexts. He is a highly experienced creative leader who combines a deep understanding of advocacy with strong communication, financial and leadership skills.

Asensio Rodríguez said: "Joining BankTrack at this moment is both a great responsibility and a great honour. I want to thank Johan for his inspiring leadership and the Board for their trust. It is in this special moment we are living, when those with power and responsibility can either fuel destruction or enable transformation, that our mission becomes crystal clear: to hold banks accountable and push them to become part of the solution. Above all, I feel profoundly inspired to walk this path together with the extraordinary BankTrack team, whose dedication and courage make this work possible. Together, we will carry forward the fight for climate, for human rights, and for the living world — because there is no time to lose."

Johan Frijns said: “As after 22 years I leave my BankTrack director role to my successor, it feels more important than ever before that there exists a strong civil society movement that not only is capable of holding commercial banks globally to account for the social, environmental and human rights impact of their finance, but that is also ready to directly engage with those same banks on how to be part of the solution rather than the cause of pressing global crisis we collectively face. I will continue to seek a role in this process while I wish my successor all the best in ensuring that BankTrack remains a core fundament underneath the global bank campaigners movement.” 

This unique milestone in BankTrack’s history comes at a critical time, in which the case for systemic change in the global commercial banking sector is stronger and more urgent than ever. Under Asensio’s leadership and with the strong experience of BankTrack’s team, we look forward to the work of making this change happen.

 - the BankTrack Board of Directors.