Tamsyn Barton
London
Summary
Seasoned senior leader with experience across government, civil society, academia and international financial institutions with broad expertise in global issues
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
Work history
Senior Associate
Lucy Cavendish College
2026.01 - 2026.02
- Contribution to strategic plan and career support to students
Trustee
Save the Children UK
2025.07 - 2026.02
- Member of Audit and Risk Committee, Donations Acceptance Committee.
Member, Board of Trustees
Center for Global Development Europe
2023.09 - 2026.02
- Ex officio member on US Board, Staff Liaison
Member, Board of Trustees
Institute for Development Studies
2021.08 - 2026.02
- Chair of the Remuneration Committee (since September 2024). Member of the Resources, Audit and Risk Committee (2021-24)
Member of Expert Panel
Inter-American Development Bank
2025.01 - 2025.06
- Six yearly review of the Inter-American Development Bank’s evaluation function.
Chief Commissioner
Independent Commission for Aid Impact
2018.11 - 2024.07
- ICAI is the UK’s foreign aid watchdog, reporting to Parliament. Maintained its independence, integrated the voices of those affected by UK aid into reviews, worked effectively with the Select Committee, raised public awareness of the Commission's work.
Chair of the SOAS Senior Salaries Remuneration Committee
SOAS
2019.01 - 2022.07
- Ensured improved oversight of remuneration of senior staff, including severance arrangements, in line with Higher Education Code of Governance.
Chair of South East Asian Arts Academic Programme Board
SOAS
2016.06 - 2022.01
- Implemented governance review and accountable for the success of SOAS’s largest (£15m) donor-funded programme, which in my time saw 90 scholars return to South East Asia, most of them still working in museums, universities and in government dealing with art and heritage in the region. Ensured improved oversight of remuneration of senior staff, including severance arrangements, in line with Higher Education Code of Governance.
Trustee
School of Oriental and African Studies
2015.07 - 2019.08
- Lay Trustee, overseeing SOAS at a time of unprecedented financial and reputational pressures. Responsible for HR, ensuring attention to mental health and safeguarding. Dealt with challenging disciplinary cases among staff and students, ensuring satisfactory outcomes.
CEO
Bond
2017.02 - 2018.04
- Provided the leadership to enable Bond to fulfill its mission as umbrella body for 420 civil society organisations.
- Brought Bond back to a sustainable financial position and led co-ordination of the membership through the first stage of the safeguarding crisis, establishing the basis for regaining public trust
- Coordinated and chaired civil society organisations in their advocacy with the Secretary of State for International Development, the National Security Adviser and the Minister for Civil Soci. Appeared before the International Development Select Committee.
- Worked closely with the other voluntary sector umbrella bodies to ensure coordinated sector voice. Implemented governance improvements.
Board Member
Oxford University Humanities Advisory Board
2015.07 - 2017.07
- Focused on improving diversity in student admissions.
Executive Director
EBRD
2014.06 - 2016.08
- Member (on behalf of EIB) of the resident Board of Directors supervising the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Elected Chair of the Financial Operations and Policies Committee 2015/16. Established better coordination in programmes and at HQ between EBRD and EIB, including a new procurement framework, which led to an increase in co-financing and collaboration.
- EBRD is a multilateral public bank promoting transition to sustainable market economies in Eastern Europe, Turkey, Central Asia and North Africa.
Director-General, Lending Operations Outside the EU
European Investment Bank
2010.11 - 2014.04
- Responsible for around 220 staff and portfolio of about €30bn, with €4.5 billion of annual lending to public and private sector clients in developing countries across the world.
- Responsible (working with the Representation in Brussels) for negotiating increased Mandate with Brussels bodies. Member of EU Task Forces to Egypt and Myanmar.
- Established a Results Framework to measure the outcomes of projects and overhauled monitoring systems.
- Drove increase in climate financing outside EU from 20% to 39%.
- Engaged with the European Parliament and civil society. Played leading role in getting EIB to become a signatory to the International Aid Transparency Initiative.
- Increased external office presence and relocated offices into EU Delegations.
Head, Europe Department
Department for International Development (DFID)
2007.01 - 2010.01
- Led DFID's work on policy and resource management in relation to the EU institutions, involving many negotiations in Brussels. Alternate Director on European Investment Bank Board.
- From October 2008, additionally responsible for five offices administering UK bilateral programmes in the Western Balkans and Moldova. Managed around 70 people, responsible for around £400m programme spend.
- Also managed secondment programme, seconding 25 staff to EU bodies, recognised as one of the two best run in Whitehall by the Cabinet Secretary.
- Led DFID contribution to Parliamentary ratification of the Lisbon Treaty and input on EU to Multilateral Aid Review. Led DFID’s EU Strategy. Overhauled the departmental Parliamentary Scrutiny process to improve quality and timeliness.
- Senior Civil Service Gender Equality Champion
Deputy Head, Conflict, Humanitarian and Security Department
DFID
2006.01 - 2007.01
- Led DFID’s work on conflict policy, drafted conflict prevention policy paper for Secretary of State, had responsibility for pooled funds with the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Oversaw a review streamlining the management of the funds, and initiiated new partnership with UN Women. Working with colleagues in FCO and MOD, set up joint futures workshop at Wilton Park, bringing top management together on strategic vision.
Head of Strategy and Services/Joint Head of Sustainable Development Group, Policy Division
DFID
2005.01 - 2006.01
- Co-led Sustainable Development Group (55 people), covering policy and management of research and spending programmes on environment and climate change, overseeing DFID input to Stern Review on Climate Change.
- Drove the process of getting the UK government to recognise the right to water as a human right
- Led strategy and resource planning for Policy Division (270 people), responsible for Central Planning and Communications. Established corporate systems to enable achievement of spending target.
Trustee/Board Member
Plan International UK
2004.01 - 2005.01
- Helped to steer and develop the advocacy function, and inform strategy and brand.
Team Leader, Trade & Development
DFID
2003.01 - 2005.01
- Led DFID’s team focusing on trade capacity building, involved in initiation of Aid For Trade Programme.
- Improved understanding of trade and poverty linkages, in particular in relation to gender, linking up with academic researchers.
- Lead author of International Trade Strategy, working with other government departments.
- Co-author of corporate review of Chief Advisers (heads of professional expert networks).
Advisory Board member
Intermediate Technology Development Group
2001.01 - 2004.01
- Intermediate Technology Development Group Publishing
Divisional Co-ordinator, Policy Division
DFID
2003.01 - 2003.01
- Member of management team implementing programme restructuring 11 policy and research Departments into one Division and communicating to internal and external stakeholders.
- Produced Divisional Budget Strategy and led Review of all Consultancy Contracts and Specialist centres of expertise on global health, education, engineering etc. funded by DFID.
Social Development Adviser
DFID
2001.01 - 2003.01
- Adviser to Rural Livelihoods and Infrastructure Development Departments. Lead author of Infrastructure and Poverty policy paper for Secretary of State.
- Oversaw policy work on rights-based approaches to livelihoods with the World Bank.
- Established corporate long-term strategic planning capacity for DFID, using research on alternative futures, working with Cabinet Office, FCO, MOD and others in Whitehall from 2002 to when I left DFID in 2010.
Head of Technology
Intermediate Technology Development Group
1998.01 - 2001.01
- Led team of 17 specialist advisers in international NGO Enabled the team to move to self-sustaining financial position.
- Led development of first water and sanitation strategy. Won funding for two research projects in partnership with university and think-tank partners.
Independent Consultant and Voluntary Work while on maternity leave
Self-employed
1997.01 - 1998.01
- Consultant providing expertise in Social Development, Facilitation, Water Sector, Sustainable Livelihoods, Organisational Development and Financial Management Systems.
- Volunteer fundraiser for community centre on neighbouring social housing estate.
Social Development Field Manager
ODA/DFID Water and Sanitation Office, New Delhi, India
New Delhi
1994.01 - 1997.01
- Managed for DFID water, sanitation and hygiene promotion projects in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Orissa with particular responsibility for social issues.
- Author of gender strategy for the water sector.
Harold Hyam Wingate Scholar
1992.01 - 1993.01
- Wrote book: “Ancient Astrology”, winner of the Routledge Ancient History Prize 1994, since translated into many different languages
Graduate Student and Research Fellow
Newnham College, Cambridge
Cambridge
1986.01 - 1992.01
- Research resulting in articles and a book “Power and Knowledge” published by University of Michigan Press.
- Taught undergraduates in Classics, History and History and Philosophy of Science.
- President of Middle Common Room.
- Established university-wide Interdisciplinary Seminar, and College Women’s Speaker Series. Also coordinated OXFAM’s student campaigns group.
Education
Ph.D - Ancient History
University of Cambridge
Cambridge 1986.01 - 1 1990
MA - Social Anthropology
School of Oriental and African Studies, London
London 1985.01 - 1 1986
BA - Literae Humaniores
St John’s College, Oxford
Oxford 1981.01 - 1 1985
BA - Literae Humaniores
St John’s College, Oxford
Oxford 1981.01 - 1 1985
Volunteer Experience
Volunteer, 1993, 1994, Worked for a range of NGOs in South India, including ActionAid India, NOVIB India and local grassroots NGOs.
Publications on International Development (in chronological order)
- “Building an Appropriate Technology Logical Framework”, Appropriate Technology, 1999
- “Rainwater Harvesting”, Small World, 2000
- “Integrated Water Supply Project, Zimbabwe”, Technology for Sustainable Livelihoods, 2001 (http://practicalaction.org/t4sl_casestudies)
- “Water and Sustainable Livelihoods”, Waterlines, 2001
- “Social Protection”, Sustainable Livelihoods Keysheets, DGIS (Netherlands Development Cooperation) and Department for International Development (DFID), 2002
- “Post Offices, Pensions and Computers”, with J. Farrington, R. Nayak and N.C. Saxena, Overseas Development Institute, Natural Resources Perspectives, 2003
- Making Connections: Infrastructure for Poverty Reduction, DFID, 2002
- DFID’s work on International Trade and Development: 2005-2007, DFID 2004
- Preventing Violent Conflict, DFID 2007
- Europe for Development: Working with the European Union, DFID, 2008 (with Mikaela Gavas)
- Joint Action to Leverage Impact in Private Sector Development”, Great Insights, European Centre for Development Policy and Management, 2012
- “Holding the SDG Agenda 2030 Together”, Impakter, September 15, 2017
Broadcast media experience
BBC World TV, CNN, Channel 4, BBC Radio 4, Today, The World at One, The World Tonight, BBC Radio London and other regionals, LBC, TRTV, SABC and other overseas broadcasters.
Lead Commissioner for ICAI reviews
- How UK aid learns, September 2019
- The use of UK aid to enhance mutual prosperity (Information Note), October 2019
- The UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative, January 2020
- The changing nature of UK aid in Ghana, February 2020
- The UK’s work with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Information Note), June 2020
- The UK’s support to the African Development Bank Group, July 2020
- Assessing DFID’s results in Nutrition, September 2020
- Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by International Peacekeepers, September 2020
- Management of the 0.7% Spending Target, January 2021
- International climate finance: UK aid for halting deforestation and preventing irreversible biodiversity loss, July 2021
- UK aid’s alignment with the Paris Agreement, October 2021
- The UK’s changing approach to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), April 2022
- The UK’s humanitarian response to Covid-19, July 2022
- The UK’s support to the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), May 2022
- The UK’s work with the Global Fund, September 2022
- The UK’s approach to peacebuilding, December 2022
- The UK’s approach to democracy and human rights, January 2023
- UK aid to India, March 2023
- UK aid to refugees in the UK, March 2023
- UK aid to agriculture in a time of climate change, June 2023
- UK aid under pressure: a synthesis of ICAI findings from 2019 to 2023, September 2023
- UK aid’s international finance commitments, February 2024
- UK humanitarian aid to Gaza, May 2024
- The UK Department of Health and Social Care’s aid funded global health research and innovation, July 2024
Accomplishments
Routledge Ancient History Prize, 1995
Harold Hyam Wingate Fellowship, 1992
Henry Sidgwick Research Fellowship, Newnham College, Cambridge, 1989
British Academy Research Studentship, 1986
School of Oriental and African Studies, Bursary, 1985
Open Scholarship, St John’s College, Oxford, 1981
Half-Blue, Cambridge University Women’s Association Football, 1988-91
Languages
Hindi
Intermediate
Italian
Intermediate
Spanish
Intermediate
German
Intermediate
French
Intermediate
Timeline
Senior Associate
Lucy Cavendish College
2026.01 - 2026.02
Trustee
Save the Children UK
2025.07 - 2026.02
Member of Expert Panel
Inter-American Development Bank
2025.01 - 2025.06
Member, Board of Trustees
Center for Global Development Europe
2023.09 - 2026.02
Member, Board of Trustees
Institute for Development Studies
2021.08 - 2026.02
Chair of the SOAS Senior Salaries Remuneration Committee
SOAS
2019.01 - 2022.07
Chief Commissioner
Independent Commission for Aid Impact
2018.11 - 2024.07
CEO
Bond
2017.02 - 2018.04
Chair of South East Asian Arts Academic Programme Board
SOAS
2016.06 - 2022.01
Trustee
School of Oriental and African Studies
2015.07 - 2019.08
Board Member
Oxford University Humanities Advisory Board
2015.07 - 2017.07
Executive Director
EBRD
2014.06 - 2016.08
Director-General, Lending Operations Outside the EU
European Investment Bank
2010.11 - 2014.04
Head, Europe Department
Department for International Development (DFID)
2007.01 - 2010.01
Deputy Head, Conflict, Humanitarian and Security Department
DFID
2006.01 - 2007.01
Head of Strategy and Services/Joint Head of Sustainable Development Group, Policy Division
DFID
2005.01 - 2006.01
Trustee/Board Member
Plan International UK
2004.01 - 2005.01
Team Leader, Trade & Development
DFID
2003.01 - 2005.01
Divisional Co-ordinator, Policy Division
DFID
2003.01 - 2003.01
Advisory Board member
Intermediate Technology Development Group
2001.01 - 2004.01
Social Development Adviser
DFID
2001.01 - 2003.01
Head of Technology
Intermediate Technology Development Group
1998.01 - 2001.01
Independent Consultant and Voluntary Work while on maternity leave
Self-employed
1997.01 - 1998.01
Social Development Field Manager
ODA/DFID Water and Sanitation Office, New Delhi, India
1994.01 - 1997.01
Harold Hyam Wingate Scholar
1992.01 - 1993.01
Graduate Student and Research Fellow
Newnham College, Cambridge
1986.01 - 1992.01
Ph.D - Ancient History
University of Cambridge
1986.01 - 1 1990
MA - Social Anthropology
School of Oriental and African Studies, London
1985.01 - 1 1986
BA - Literae Humaniores
St John’s College, Oxford
1981.01 - 1 1985
BA - Literae Humaniores
St John’s College, Oxford
1981.01 - 1 1985