Gordon Brown advisor to World Economic Forum

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown will soon become advisor to the World Economic Forum. The job is unpaid, and made up of the heads of international organisations and government representatives. Early on, talk was that perhaps he would become the next head of the International Monetary Fund. But Cameron said that Brown wasn’t the best person to head the global finance watchdog.

The World Economic Forum describes itself as an international organisation “committed to improving the state of the world”. It is best known for its annual meeting, usually held in Davos where top international business leaders and politicians are joined by artists, academics, religious leaders, trade unionists and campaign groups.

Professor Klaus Schwab, said he would bring a “wealth of knowledge and experience” to the role, which is unpaid, although staff costs will be covered. “As his recent book clearly demonstrates, he has valuable insights into the global agenda that will complement and inform many of the Forum’s initiatives,” he said. BBC

Later on, Mr. Brown is scheduled to make a speech to business leaders in South Queensferry, near his Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency. Speculation that the World Economic Forum role could act as a stepping stone to Mr Brown succeeding Dominique Strauss Kahn as head of the IMF, were downplayed by the prime minister last week. And Brown’s successor to the Labour Party, Ed Miliband, said the former PM was “eminently qualified” for the role, adding: “I think that Gordon Brown’s record in relation to the financial crisis of 2007/8, when he made a huge difference to preventing recession becoming depression, was outstanding.” BBC