By Mark Smulian | 22 August 2013

William Danvers has been appointed deputy secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. 

Danvers, who is currently deputy chief of staff to US secretary of state John Kerry, will take up the post in September and focus on regional initiatives in South East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa.

Danvers will oversee the accession processes of candidate countries and develop the OECD’s work on investment, competition and the fight against corruption, and will also work on innovation, science and technology, corporate affairs, and private sector development.

Before joining the US State Department he was staff director of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. 

Danvers has also been senior director at America’s National Security Council and was head of the OECD Centre in Washington in the late 1990s.

OECD secretary-general Angel Gurría said: ‘Mr Danvers’ extensive political and policy experience will stand him in good stead as he supports the organisation’s mission to be more open and inclusive, and help strengthen the relevance and impact of its work.

‘He will also advance our co-operation with all countries, including major emerging and key partner economies.’