Treasury Secretary nominated to World Bank

Tuesday 2nd November 2010

Finance Minister Bill English has announced the government is to nominate Secretary to the Treasury John Whitehead as an executive director to the World Bank.

“It is an important strategic opportunity for New Zealand to exert influence at the World Bank, and to develop networks and raise our profile,” said English.

It is New Zealand’s turn to represent the constituency that it shares at the World Bank with Australia, the Republic of Korea and several other Pacific Island and Asian states.

New Zealand is due to rotate into the Washington-based role for a two-year term from August 2011.

"I'm delighted that a person of Mr Whitehead’s calibre has emerged as the preferred candidate to represent the constituency,” said English.

"Mr Whitehead is an experienced economic policy-maker and strategic thinker, and someone with excellent people and representational skills. He will be a high quality Executive Director for our World Bank constituency.”

The Minister of Finance, as New Zealand’s governor to the World Bank, nominates an appointee and then constituency members are consulted on a "no-objections basis".

The process also requires the nomination to be confirmed by the World Bank Board.

Mr Whitehead’s contract as Chief Executive and Secretary to the Treasury is due to expire in April 2011.

Most of Mr Whitehead's 34 year career in the Public Service has been spent at the Treasury and he was appointed as Secretary to the Treasury in April 2003.

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