DFID boosts economic development expertise with new appointments

27 May 2014 10:28 AM

A senior team of economic development and business advisers will bring the power of the private sector to help end dependency on aid. 

A team of independent experts will advise the Department for International Development on how to work with the private sector to create jobs and sustainable growth.

In addition, David Kennedy has been appointed as DFID’s first Director General for Economic Development to lead the organisation’s growing work in this area.

The appointments follows Justine Greening’s announcement that Britain will more than double its investment in economic development and the publication of the UK’s first full Strategic Framework its work earlier this year.

Justine Greening said:

David Kennedy’s leadership and expertise will be invaluable in driving forward our work on economic development and make sure we identify and manage risk. David and the new team of advisers will continue the shift within DFID to place growth and jobs at the very heart of our work to end dependency on aid.

David Kennedy said:

I am delighted to be joining DFID and to be working on such a critical agenda. Supporting sustainable growth and creating jobs is essential for poverty reduction. The Department has a fantastic reputation, most particularly for the quality of its staff and the leadership role it plays internationally.

The appointments include:

• David Kennedy has been appointed as the Department’s first Director General for Economic Development. Sitting on the Department’s board and reporting directly to the Permanent Secretary and Secretary of State, Mr. Kennedy will lead DFID’s growing work in this area. An experienced economist who has worked on development finance, strategy and investment at the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, he was most recently chair of the Committee on Climate Change. He will take up his post on 16 June.

• A team of PwC’s international development experts will offer pro bono advice on how UK and international businesses can join the development push.

• EY will offer advice on corporate finance and corporate governance to help DFID make better use of returnable capital and other new ways of investing alongside the private sector in development programmes.