Former ambassador to Lebanon will boost Middle East efforts of GBC-Education

The former British Ambassador to Lebanon has joined the Global Business Coalition for Education to expand efforts to get children into school.

Tom Fletcher, CMG is the new Director of Global Strategy and will focus on building private sector support – particularly in the Middle East, where the four-year Syrian conflict has led to a massive refugee crisis.

Tom said: “I’ve become obsessed with the fact that there are as many kids out of school globally as people in Britain. Fail to get that generation the opportunity they seek and we will all feel the consequences.

“This massive challenge cannot be cracked by governments alone. It needs coalitions – business, campaigners, education professionals and the pupils themselves. I want to help put those alliances together and to bring new ideas to this oldest of challenges.”

GBC-Education was established in 2012 and brings the business community together to accelerate progress in delivering quality education for all of the world’s children and youth. Along with A World at School, GBC-Education is part of Theirworld, an international charity working to change children’s lives.

Tom will work closely with the coalition’s business membership as well as the in-house team including new Head of External Affairs Rob Mooney, who joins from Proctor & Gamble and comes with more than 15 years of private sector experience in developing markets.

Sarah Brown, Executive Chair of GBC-Education, said: “Tom’s recent experience in the Middle East will be invaluable, but I also welcome his positive and fearless approach to solving problems through innovative solutions and taking on difficult issues by building partnerships.”

Find out more about Tom Fletcher and his new role at GBC-Education here.