Simon Maxwell

Simon Maxwell is executive chair of the Climate and Development Knowledge Network. He spent 10 years overseas with U.N. Development Program and the United Kingdom aid program, in Kenya, India and Bolivia, and then 15 years at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex. He was director of the Overseas Development Institute. In addition to CDKN, he is chair of the European Think Tanks Group and specialist adviser to the International Development Select Committee in the U.K. Parliament. Simon Maxwell is a former president of the Development Studies Association of the U.K. and Ireland. In 2007, he was awarded a CBE for services to international development.

Latest Articles

Brexit or remain: Can we have a third option?

over 9 years ago // EU referendum

The referendum on June 23 offers voters a binary choice on the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union: remain or leave. In this commentary, Simon Maxwell, chair of the European Think Tanks Group, explains why reformers shouldn't find themselves empty-handed.

Advice for negotiators at COP21: Get it done and let's get back to work

about 10 years ago // #PlanetWorth

Implementing climate plans will never be friction-free, writes Simon Maxwell, executive chair of CDKN in this guest column. At the Paris climate conference, what realistic outcomes can we expect to see?

DfID is changing — but is it changing fast enough?

over 10 years ago // The Future of DfID

While DfID deserves praise for the work it has done, the U.K. aid agency needs to adapt to global development’s evolving needs and agendas. Five key changes need to happen, writes Simon Maxwell, former director at the Overseas Development Institute, for the #FutureofDfID series.

See all articles by Simon Maxwell