Kiwi resigns from World Bank
(28 January 2010 – USA) After almost nine years in senior management positions, including four as managing director, and 12 years in the World Bank, New Zealander Graeme Wheeler has announced that he will leave the development institution by the end of the fiscal year to purse new career opportunities.
The former deputy secretary of the New Zealand Treasury joined the World Bank in 1997, becoming the director of the newly established Financial Services Department.
Mr Wheeler was promoted to World Bank treasurer in 2001. Working with his management team he strengthened Treasury’s risk management capacity, expanded its client services work and established a government debt management practice.
In 2005, Mr Wheeler was appointed acting managing director for the bank and was subsequently selected for this position in April 2006.
In December 2007, following the reorganisation of managing director roles, he assumed responsibility for the bank’s networks, World Bank Institute and the General Services Department.
In 2007, Mr Wheeler was reported to be amongst the top contenders to replace the bank’s current president, Paul Wolfowitz, after he resigned abruptly over a scandal in which he had arranged a generous pay and promotion package for his girlfriend, a bank employee.
However, the tradition of the position being held by an American was continued when Robert Zoellick, former trade representative, was appointed.
The president of World Bank, Robert Zoellick, said that Mr Wheeler has preformed an outstanding service in many capacities working with colleagues throughout the World Bank.
He has made a major contribution to corporate-wide initiatives, leading the strategic effort to strengthen knowledge management and spearheading a creation of the new Internal Justice System, Mr Zoellick added.
Mr Wheeler was promoted to World Bank treasurer in 2001. Working with his management team he strengthened Treasury’s risk management capacity, expanded its client services work and established a government debt management practice.
In 2005, Mr Wheeler was appointed acting managing director for the bank and was subsequently selected for this position in April 2006.
In December 2007, following the reorganisation of managing director roles, he assumed responsibility for the bank’s networks, World Bank Institute and the General Services Department.
In 2007, Mr Wheeler was reported to be amongst the top contenders to replace the bank’s current president, Paul Wolfowitz, after he resigned abruptly over a scandal in which he had arranged a generous pay and promotion package for his girlfriend, a bank employee.
However, the tradition of the position being held by an American was continued when Robert Zoellick, former trade representative, was appointed.
The president of World Bank, Robert Zoellick, said that Mr Wheeler has preformed an outstanding service in many capacities working with colleagues throughout the World Bank.
He has made a major contribution to corporate-wide initiatives, leading the strategic effort to strengthen knowledge management and spearheading a creation of the new Internal Justice System, Mr Zoellick added.
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