David French (Chief Executive)
Encyclopedia
David French was chief executive officer
of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy
, (2003 to 2009), an agency of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office set up to promote democratic development overseas. David French’s expertise is in building strategic alliances, assembling talent from diverse backgrounds to achieve imaginative and productive outcomes.
David French received his initial education in Dorset
at Sherborne School
for boys, and graduated with a BA
from St John's College, Durham
. Beginning his career in 1971 with the National Council of Social Service, he became, in 1974, head of social services at the Royal National Institute for Deaf People
. In 1978 he was appointed Director of Services for the Church of England Children’s Society
and, in 1987, Chief Executive of RELATE
. From 1997 until 2002 he was Director General of the Commonwealth Institute
.
During his time at WFD David French conceived and created The Westminster Consortium as the first initiative to coordinate the international work of the major Westminster parliamentary organisations (House of Commons, National Audit Office, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Westminster political parties et al.). In May 2009, on leaving WFD, he established Convener Associates, consultants in international political development, having recognised that conventional forms of intervention may have a low ceiling of value without an effective, balanced settlement among the political elites.
David French has held many trusteeships, and is currently a member of the Steering Group for the World Movement for Democracy and the International Steering Committee for the Community of Democracies. He is a Trustee of Gemin-i.org, a UK NGO promoting international understanding through e-learning.
. He and his wife, Sarah Anne, daughter of Henry David Halsey
, Bishop of Carlisle in 1972–89, have four sons.
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy
Westminster Foundation for Democracy
The Westminster Foundation for Democracy is a United Kingdom non-departmental public body set up to promote democratic institutions overseas. It was established in March 1992 and registered as a company limited by guarantee. It receives funding from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the...
, (2003 to 2009), an agency of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office set up to promote democratic development overseas. David French’s expertise is in building strategic alliances, assembling talent from diverse backgrounds to achieve imaginative and productive outcomes.
David French received his initial education in Dorset
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
at Sherborne School
Sherborne School
Sherborne School is a British independent school for boys, located in the town of Sherborne in north-west Dorset, England. It is one of the original member schools of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference....
for boys, and graduated with a BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from St John's College, Durham
St John's College, Durham
St John's College is a college of the University of Durham, United Kingdom. It is one of only two 'Recognised Colleges' of the University, the other being St Chad's. This means that it is financially and constitutionally independent of the University and has a greater degree of administrative...
. Beginning his career in 1971 with the National Council of Social Service, he became, in 1974, head of social services at the Royal National Institute for Deaf People
Royal National Institute for Deaf People
Action on Hearing Loss, formerly known as The Royal National Institute for Deaf People is a charitable organization working on behalf of the UK's 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people. The head office of RNID is in Islington, Central London . Its President is Lord Ashley of Stoke. The Chief...
. In 1978 he was appointed Director of Services for the Church of England Children’s Society
The Children's Society
The Children's Society, formally The Church of England Children's Society, is a UK charity allied to the Church of England and driven by a belief that all children deserve a good childhood.-History:...
and, in 1987, Chief Executive of RELATE
Relate
Relate is a charity providing relationship support throughout the United Kingdom. Services include counselling for couples, families, young people and individuals, sex therapy, mediation and training courses....
. From 1997 until 2002 he was Director General of the Commonwealth Institute
Commonwealth Institute
The Commonwealth Institute was an educational charity connected with the Commonwealth of Nations, and the name of a building in West London formerly owned by the Institute...
.
During his time at WFD David French conceived and created The Westminster Consortium as the first initiative to coordinate the international work of the major Westminster parliamentary organisations (House of Commons, National Audit Office, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Westminster political parties et al.). In May 2009, on leaving WFD, he established Convener Associates, consultants in international political development, having recognised that conventional forms of intervention may have a low ceiling of value without an effective, balanced settlement among the political elites.
David French has held many trusteeships, and is currently a member of the Steering Group for the World Movement for Democracy and the International Steering Committee for the Community of Democracies. He is a Trustee of Gemin-i.org, a UK NGO promoting international understanding through e-learning.
. He and his wife, Sarah Anne, daughter of Henry David Halsey
Henry David Halsey
The Right Reverend David Halsey was born on 27 January 1919 and died on 16 May 2009. He was educated at King's College School, Wimbledon and King's College London. After this he took holy orders at Wells Theological College and began his ministry as a curate at St. Peter's Church, Petersfield...
, Bishop of Carlisle in 1972–89, have four sons.