British Council Chief Executive to Headline Global Series Event

Elliott School alumnus Sir Ciarán Devane will discuss smart power and global stability.

April 20, 2016

Ciarán Devane

Ciarán Devane will provide keynote remarks at a GW Global Series event in London on Thursday. The British Council chief executive spoke at the university last fall. (GW Today file photo)

By James Irwin

Sir Ciarán Devane, chief executive of the British Council, will provide keynote remarks at a GW Global Series event April 21 in London.

Mr. Devane, M.I.P.P. ’06, will speak about international diplomacy, smart power and global stability—topics he discussed in November when he returned to the George Washington University for a talk during GW’s International Education Week.


GW Global Series


Sir Ciarán Devane

When: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 21
Where: The Four Seasons Park Lane, Hamilton Pl, London W1J 7DR


He has emphasized the need to take a total approach in creating international stability, one that uses “all the tools available” to combat extremism and grow relationships between governments and cultures.

An alumnus of the Elliott School of International Affairs, Mr. Devane was named British Council chief executive in January 2015 after a seven-year stint at Macmillan Cancer Support. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II last June.

Online registration for the event is closed, but walk-up registration is still available. The event is free.

Created in 2014, the GW Global Series provides an opportunity for alumni who are thought leaders in their fields to share insights and experiences with top executives and professionals. Previous speakers have included Arab British Chamber of Commerce Secretary General and Chief Executive Afnan Al-Shuaiby, Ph.D. ’09; and art dealer, curator and writer Kenny Schachter, B.A. ’84.