IMF appoints Mühleisen, Director of Fund’s Strategy and Policy

The Mamaging Ditector of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine Lagarde Thursday, appointed Martin Mühleisen as Director of the fund’s strategy, policy, and review department of IMF.

In a statement signed by Alistar Thomas, a Media Officer at the IMF, Mühleisen a German national was appointed due to his vast experience in the funds policies and operations.

Announcing the appointment, Largarde said, “Martin brings an outstanding combination of skills and experience. He has a deep knowledge of Fund policies and operations gained over his 24-year career here; analytical rigor demonstrated time and again, particularly in his work on crisis programs and surveillance; and a stellar reputation—internally and externally—for his intellectual leadership and personal integrity.”

Eulogizing the virtues of Muhleisen, Largarde said, “The management team and I have had the opportunity to work closely with Martin and benefit from his wise counsel, sound judgment, and tireless efforts on behalf of the institution.

“He has a deep understanding of the Fund and the needs of the membership. At the same time, he is an innovator and a team player par excellence. I have been impressed, in particular, by his ability to remain clear-headed in difficult situations and to always seek creative solutions within the boundaries of our rules” Largarde stated.

It is important to note that the department of Fund’s Strategy, Policy, and Review Department which Muhleisen will head, plays a central role in developing IMFs strategic direction, and in designing, implementing, and evaluating Fund policies. It also leads the IMF’s interactions with international bodies such as the G20 and United Nations.

Mr. Mühleisen will succeed Siddharth Tiwari, who had announced his exit from the IMF early June 2017.

Until his new appointment, Mr. Mühleisen is currently the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Managing Director, and will take up his new position after a replacement has been appointed.

A German national, Mr. Mühleisen joined the IMF in 1993. He holds a Masters in Economics from Cambridge University and a Ph.D. summa cum laude in Economics from the University of Munich.

He has held a variety of positions across the Fund, working on a wide range of strategic, policy, country, and administrative issues.

While he was a Deputy Director and Head of the Advanced Economy Division in the Strategy, Policy, and Review Department, he was closely involved in the Fund’s work on the financial crisis, and in developing the Fund’s Early-Warning Exercise and global risk assessments.

In the Western Hemisphere Department, he worked on country issues on both continents of the Americas, including the United States and Canada. Mr. Mühleisen has published extensively on a range of topics, including macro-financial analysis and economic linkages.

His 24-year IMF career includes key policy assignments during the financial crisis and work on a range of major advanced and emerging countries.

The Strategy, Policy, and Review Director guides the IMF’s interactions with international bodies such as the G20 and the United Nations.

Myke Uzendu, Abuja