Lord Mark Malloch Brown initially started his working career as a Political Correspondent at The Economist, experiencing the fast-paced industry of journalism. Afterwards, Mark began work with the United Nations, appointed as the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees. In this role, Mark worked for Kofi Annan and was located in Thailand, responsible for Cambodian refugees and camps of Sa Kaeo and Khao-I-Dang. Mark then returned to The Economist, this time appointed as the Economist Development Report founding editor. Currently, Mark is working as the Chairman of SGO and sits on private boards such as Seplat, Kerogen and Investec.
Communications consultancy is another of Mark’s competencies after he worked as Lead International Partner at Sawyer-Miller Group. His time at the firm saw him responsible for various issues, such as privatisation and economic reforms. As International Partner, Mark advised officials across the globe, specifically working with politicians in Latin America and Corazon Aquino in the Philippines. Another of Mark’s working credits involves a stint at the World Bank. Joining the World Bank in 1994, Mark was appointed as the Vice-President for External Affairs. Whilst at the bank, Mark was a pivotal figure in the transformation of their reputation, dealing with relations with the United Nations and changing the brand's perception.
In 1999 Mark re-joined the United Nations, initially employed as administrator of the United Nations Development Programme. In this role Mark was a pivotal figure in successful campaigns, such including the Millennium Development Goals, assisting in talks with the Bolivarian Government and organising the response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. In 2006 Mark was appointed his most prominent role at the United Nations, becoming the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General a position which he held until 2006. A year later, it was announced that Mark would be joining the British Cabinet as Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
As Minister of State, Mark was responsible for various issues across the breadth of Asia and Africa as well as relations with the United Nations. Not long after his appointment Mark was made a life peer, gaining the title of Baron Malloch-Brown of St Leonard’s Forest in the Country of West Sussex. During the 2007 New Year Honours Mark was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George, commending his international contribution through the various roles of his career.
Alongside his commitment to politics and the United Nations, Mark has also sat on countless boards and non-profit organisations. Such boards include the Centre for Global Development, the International Crisis Group, the Open Society Foundation and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation. Mark has also been recognised by Times Magazine in their 100 Most Influential Individuals in the World list and ranked 7th in Time 100 in the Leaders and Revolutionaries section.
As a public speaker, Mark is sought for his industry-leading expertise, showcasing a broad understanding from an illustrious career. Able to cover topics such as global challenges, the World’s worst trouble spots, politics, United Nations reforms and leadership management Mark is the ideal speaker to engage corporate audiences of any size.
