Klaus Tilmes, a German national, has been appointed the Global Practice Director for the Trade and Competitiveness Practice (T&C) of the World Bank Group, effective July 1, 2014. In his new capacity, Klaus is responsible for such global themes as Trade, Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship. He is leading the Strategy & Operations Group, and is in charge of two regions within T & C: Africa and Middle East.
Prior to his current position, Klaus was the Director of the Financial and Private Sector Development (FPD) Network, a position he held from 2010 to 2014. He also served as Acting Vice President for the FPD Network from October 2013 to June 2014. In those roles, he championed the improvement of knowledge flows and connectivity, putting them at the core of FPD’s service to clients.
Klaus joined the Bank in 1991 as an Economist in the Africa region. Subsequent managerial and advisory assignments include positions in the areas of Private Participation in Infrastructure, Corporate Strategy, the Independent Evaluation Group, and Knowledge. Klaus’ World Bank Group experience combines country operation, cross-cutting sector work in financial and private sector development, economic development, and infrastructure services, along with corporate strategy and evaluation – much of it gained at the intersection of the Bank and IFC.
Klaus earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration in Development Economics and Public Sector Management from Harvard University, and an MA in Economics from the University of Mannheim.
