Former World Bank official brings expertise in strategy, vast international experience

Berlin 04 October, 2007 – Christiaan Poortman has been appointed Director of Global Programmes at Transparency International (TI), bringing 35 years of distinguished service at the World Bank and other international institutions to the global fight against corruption.

“Christiaan Poortman brings an impressive combination of skill and global experience that will substantially enrich Transparency International’s ability to fight corruption. I am delighted to welcome Christiaan to TI,” said Cobus de Swardt, TI’s Managing Director.

In his new role, Poortman will supervise TI’s work toward achievement of its global priorities, which include reducing political corruption and corruption in public contracting and the private sector, and adoption and full implementation of international anti-corruption conventions, as well as TI’s new initiative on poverty and development. Other issues under his supervision will include access to information, corruption in education and health, and the Water Integrity Network.

Poortman’s 35 years of professional and managerial experience include a wide range of positions within the World Bank, having most recently served three years as Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa.

His extensive experience in Africa includes positions as Manager of the World Bank’s country office in Harare, Zimbabwe, Division Chief, Industry and Energy Operations for West Africa; and Senior Country Economist, responsible for Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

He also served as Division Chief for Country Operations in Bulgaria, Romania, FYR Macedonia and Turkey, and Country Director for South East Europe, including Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, FYR Macedonia and Serbia/Montenegro.

He began his career in 1972 as an economist at the Ministry of Finance and Planning in Swaziland, under the auspices of the United Nations Development Programme.

Christiaan Poortman holds a Master of Arts degree (Cum Laude) in Development and Macroeconomics, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Macroeconomic Theory and Business Economics from the University of Groningen, Netherlands.

He speaks Dutch (native), English, French and German.

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