Martin Kocher, born in 1973, is a former Austrian Minister for Labour and Economy. He joined the government in 2021 as an independent expert during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, he was the scientific director at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Vienna and a professor of economics. Kocher studied at the University of Innsbruck and held academic positions in Amsterdam, Norwich, Gothenburg, Brisbane, and Munich. Starting September 2025, he will serve as the Governor of the Austrian National Bank and represent Austria on the Governing Council of the European Central Bank.