Development Initiatives appoints new Executive Director

We are delighted to announce that Harpinder Collacott has been appointed as the new Executive Director of Development Initiatives Poverty Research and will take on the role from August 2015.

Harpinder Collacott has been appointed as the new Executive Director of Development Initiatives’ (DI) not-for profit arm, Development Initiatives Poverty Research (DIPR), and will take on the role from August 2015. Harpinder has been with DI since April 2012 as Director of Engagement and Impact. She brings a wealth of experience including working with the War Crimes tribunal for Sierra Leone, in the philanthropic sector focusing on international human rights organisations, in various researcher roles for think tanks and in the UK and European parliaments. Her academic background includes an MA in International Relations, London School of Economics and a BA in History, University of Cambridge.

This appointment follows the decision, taken five year ago by current Executive Directors, Judith Randel and Tony German, to step down from their role running the not-for profit in 2015. Judith and Tony established DI International as a consultancy in 1993 and the not-for profit arm, DIPR, in 2008. Judith and Tony will continue to be engaged with DIPR as Strategic Advisers until the start of 2019.

Judith Randel and Tony German said,

“Harpinder brings exceptional experience and expertise with her background in international development and the third sector across political, research and communications roles. We believe that DI has huge opportunities to contribute both to the end of extreme poverty by 2030 and to the goal of ensuring that no one is left behind. We have every confidence that Harpinder (Pin) will strengthen DI as an organisation and bring leadership, energy and focus to its work. She will also be a pleasure for all to work with.”.

Commenting on her appointment, Harpinder Collacott said,

“I am really excited to be given this opportunity to build on the incredible work of Judith and Tony. They have built a successful organisation that is well-respected in the field of making development and resource-flow data accessible and providing objective analysis that informs policy and practice. I want to lead DI in all its locations – currently Nairobi, Kampala, Kathmandu, Rio, Washington and Bristol – to make the most of its reputation, skills and people so that we can accelerate progress at all levels and achieve real change for people living in poverty. ”

Notes:

• Development Initiative’s group structure comprises a not-for-profit social enterprise (Development Initiatives Poverty Research / DIPR) and a smaller commercial consultancy (Development Initiatives International / DII).
• Both organisations operate from one location and are jointly known as Development Initiatives