David Beer is the new TradeMark East Africa CEO, succeeding Frank Matsaert, the founding chief executive.
Beer’s appointed, which was communicated in a press statement on Wednesday, will assume the position starting September 1, 2022 and will be based in Nairobi.
Until his appointment, Beer was the UK High Commissioner to Malawi, where he completed his tour of duty.
“The TMEA Board conducted a rigorous selection process to select a CEO with strong experience of the nexus of aid for trade, governments and diplomacy, multilaterals, and development, positioning him to provide continuity of purpose.
“Mr. Beer has over 20 years’ senior international experience within these sectors. He previously represented the UK, advising respective UK Executive Directors to the Boards of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund on areas such as institutional risk management, adaptive programming and disaster risk financing, alongside macro-economic management and development programming,” the statemen said.
The statement noted that Beer joins TMEA as it expands to the rest of Africa and scaling up support for the implementation of Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement.
“TMEA has innovated its programming to not only reduce trade barriers through improved transportation and logistics systems, digitalisation of key trade processes, enhanced standards and SPS compliance and targeted interventions supporting women, youth in Small and Medium Enterprises in critical sectors; but also developing a US$220 million Green Corridors programme that will ensure climate resilient infrastructure and transport models are adopted,” it said.
TMEA Board Chairman Ambassador Erastus Mwencha said Beer’s extensive government and trade development skills should help TMEA strengthen its programming, develop strategic alliances, and roll out products that respond to market needs for Africa to maximise its trade potential.
“We believe his strong leadership experience will help focus TMEA during these turbulent economic times and stabilise its funding base.” Mwencha said.
Matsaert, who led the institution for more than a decade, is credited with spearheading TMEA expansion beyond East Africa to now include the Horn, Southern and West Africa.
He is also accredited with raising TMEA’s funding from an initial $42 million to $1.2 billion by April this year.
“Matsaert has worked tirelessly to develop TMEA’s strategy and implementation model to achieve large scale impact; champion staff welfare, inclusion, and diversity; and promote TMEA beyond its traditional donors to now include Foundations,” it added.
