Professor Sir Paul Collier CBE

Paul Collier is one of the world's leading experts on emerging markets, development economics and financial opportunities within the world’s poorest countries. He is Professor of Economics and Public Policy at Oxford University and Professeur invité at Sciences Po, and a Director of the International Growth Centre. A respected and influential policy advisor and academic, he is also the author of a number of acclaimed books addressing issues vital to addressing global economic inequality and stability.

Amongst his many appointments Paul has also served as Director of the Research Development Department of the World Bank, Advisor to the Strategy and Policy Department of the International Monetary Fund, and advisor to the Africa Region of the World Bank. He was also an advisor to the British Government on economic development policy and to the Blair Commission for Africa.

Covering a wide range of crucial issues, Paul has examined how low-income countries have been affected by civil war, aid programmes and urbanisation. He has also analysed problems with democratic structures in those countries rich in natural resources, as well as private investment in African infrastructure projects.

Hailed by the likes of Bill Clinton and George Soros, Paul is a regular contributor to publications including The New York Times, Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post. His bestselling book, The Bottom Billion has been compared to Jeffrey Sachs's The End of Poverty in its scope and impact. He is also the author of Wars, Guns and Votes: Democracy in Dangerous Places and The Plundered Planet: Why We Must - and How We Can - Manage Nature for Global Prosperity. His Exodus: How Migration is Changing Our World boldly confronts one of the greatest global challenges of modern times, whilst his The Future of Capitalism: Facing the New Anxieties considers the problems faced by rich and poor nations and sets out a pragmatic vision to improve things.