Development finance expert Gail Hurley joins DI as a Fellow

Gail Hurley, former Policy Specialist on Development Finance at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has joined DI’s Fellows Programme

Gail Hurley, former Policy Specialist on Development Finance at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has joined DI’s Fellows Programme. She is an experienced researcher and analyst on such development finance topics as aid, innovative finance, crisis finance, debt and tax. She has also supported several developing countries, including Rwanda, Jamaica, Cabo Verde and Zambia, to develop national financing for development strategies or implement innovative finance schemes. In 2015 she led the UNDP’s UN Financing for Development conference in Addis Ababa. From 2015 to 2019, she was Project Manager for the joint OECD–UNDP Tax Inspectors Without Borders initiative, which I helped to build from scratch in collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. She holds a Masters degree in Development Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, and a Diploma for Graduates in Economics from the University of London.

Speaking on her appointment, Gail said, “I am delighted to join the Development Initiatives (DI) team as a Fellow and excited to contribute to the organisation’s vital work to reduce poverty, improve data and analysis on development, and boost high-quality investment and resources to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a researcher, analyst and practitioner on development finance, including with the UN, governments and non-governmental organisations, I am looking forward to supporting DI’s work on meeting the challenge of financing the SDGs.”

Harpinder Collacott, Executive director at Development Initiatives said “It is great to have Gail on board – we are excited to have her wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise in development finance to contribute to our work. Our increasing focus on innovative financing, crisis finance, and domestic resources means her background is hugely relevant to our strategic priorities. DI has worked closely with Gail in the past in her role at UNDP and know she will be a real asset to the team.”