Global affairs think tank ODI welcomes Hans Peter Lankes to its senior leadership team.

Highly regarded climate and development economist joins ODI from the London School of Economics.

Hans Peter said:

“If ever there was a need for responses to the world’s most pressing challenges, ranging from the climate to inequality and global governance, it is now. ODI has the brains and the expertise to find solutions, and I am delighted to join the team and—together—deliver ODI’s strategy.”

Until 2021, Hans Peter was the Vice President, Economics and Private Sector Development at the International Finance Corporation/World Bank Group, having previously served on the management team of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, at the International Monetary Fund, and in policy and academia in Africa, Latin America and Asia. He is a visiting professor in practice at the LSE Grantham Research Institute and a senior fellow at the LSE/Oxford International Growth Centre.

Welcoming Hans Peter to ODI, Chief Executive Sara Pantuliano said:

“I am thrilled to welcome Hans Peter to ODI’s Senior Leadership Team. His intellectual leadership on the twin challenges of climate and economic development will be invaluable to help advance our growing portfolio of work in this space, and cement ODI as a leader in the field. With the establishment of two new offices in Brussels and Washington, and the launch of our consulting arm ODI Global Advisory, Hans Peter’s impressive track record in senior management at major multilateral institutions will be a crucial asset in advancing ODI’s role as one of the world’s leading voices on global affairs.”

Hans Peter's research interests have focused on climate finance, financing in fragile states, development economics and sustainable growth, including most recently as a member of the G20 Panel on MDB Capital Adequacy, a contributor to the G20 Independent Expert Group on MDB Reform and co-leading the design of a Climate Club for the G7 Presidency.

Hans Peter and his work have appeared and been cited widely, including in the Financial Times, Die Zeit, CNBC, ARD, press agencies, and the strategies of the international financial institutions.

Hans Peter obtained his PhD from Harvard University with a thesis on the political economy of hyperinflation, and degrees from Harvard Kennedy School, Universität Freiburg and Université de Grenoble.

Hans Peter will be based primarily in ODI’s London office. His appointment commences in November 2023.

This appointment follows a number of other high-profile recent appointments at ODI including:

• To lead our expansion into the Americas, a new Executive Director for North America, Andy Herscowitz, based primarily in Washington DC
• Three new Board Trustees – Helen Alderson, Eka Ipke and Rachel Kyte.
• A new ODI Europe Board – Yves Daccord (current chair), João Vale de Almeida (incoming chair) and Trustees Ottilie Bälz, Jonathan Charles and Heba El-Kholy.

About ODI

ODI global affairs think tank.

Thoughtful insights and actionable ideas to help solve the world’s most pressing challenges.

Formerly the Overseas Development Institute, we have been an independent and internationally-recognised research institution since 1960.

We are trusted partners to many governments and global organisations and convene a very extensive global network, with deep roots in the global south.

Our team of more than 200 staff do world-leading work spanning a portfolio of the hardest, most intractable, yet most crucial issues for people and planet – including peace and security, climate economics and finance, international political co-operation.

We put the principles of equity, inclusive growth, social justice and sustainability at the heart of what we do.

To find out more, read our strategy.