Insights into International Development

This closing session of the PIR Festival draws on the experiences of two leading professionals in the field of international development who are keen to share their insights and knowledge with Leeds Beckett students. This session is suitable for anyone who may be thinking about a career in this area, has an interest in studying the field for their dissertation, or is just curious about how international development works in practice.

Arwa Hassan of GIZ, the German government's international development agency, has had a long career in international development, having also previously worked for Transparency International for many years promoting good governance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Louise Meikle was until recently Chief People Officer at British International Investment, the UK Government's development finance institution and impact investor, having previously occupied a similar position at a ‘Magic Circle’ law firm.

Between them they have a diverse range of experience and knowledge of the sector and can give insights into the nature of the work, some of the wide range of careers available, and the skills and experience necessary to get a foot in the door.

Arwa Hassan

Arwa is an international development specialist with more than 20 years spent focusing on the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, working closely with civil society organizations, the private sector and governments. Arwa was with the NGO Transparency International for eighteen years, building strategic partnerships in the MENA region. She has regularly lectured and presented at international fora and various universities on the issues of combating corruption, governance, and institutional reform. She has trained officials and civil society in the MENA region on governance and anti-corruption. Arwa has long-standing experience of strengthening civil society groups and of promoting dialogue between governments and civil society. In 2016 she joined GIZ, the German government’s international development agency. From 2016 to 2020 she was the Programme Director of the Good Governance Cluster Yemen, and for the last five years she has been working on multi-country programmes.

Louise Meikle

Louise is a strategic executive leader, trusted HR adviser and qualified solicitor. In her most recent role, Louise was Chief People Officer at British International Investment plc (BII), the UK’s development finance institution, owned by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. BII has a dual mandate of delivering impact and financial return and for the last 76 years has been at the forefront of supporting companies that help developing and emerging countries grow. Louise was responsible for successfully delivering BII’s people strategy across the UK HQ and regional offices in Africa and Asia, including launching BII’s first graduate analyst programme in the UK and then in Africa.

Louise started her career as a corporate lawyer in a Magic Circle law firm and went on to lead the Learning and Development team and later be HR Director. She was part of the team that established the ground-breaking City Consortium Legal Practice Course (LPC) and was a member of the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s Education and Training Committee for five years.