Prof Barrington joins colleagues from business, academia and civil society in advising the government on incorporating transparency and anti-corruption approaches into the post-Brexit free trade agreements that the UK is signing with trading partners around the world.
Robert Barrington, former UK head of the leading anti-corruption NGO Transparency International, is the Professor of Anti-Corruption Practice at the Centre for the Study of Corruption, based in the Faculty of Social Sciences. He has previously held ministerial appointments advising the government on export credits and reforming the post-Brexit public procurement regime.
“I am delighted to become a member of the Trade and Anti-Corruption Policy Insights Forum,” Robert commented. “Corruption is a blight on people's lives around the world, and trade is an arena in which governments can set the goal-posts in a place which helps to reduce corruption.
“In my role as a Forum member, I will highlight the harm and victims of corruption, and the need for that to be reflected in new trading arrangements. As the UK develops its new post-Brexit trade regime, and in the light of the rapidly shifting currents in global trade, it is important that we avoid a race to the bottom.
"Our research at the Centre for the Study of Corruption over many years has demonstrated that high standards of transparency and good anti-corruption procedures can help the economy, the environment, and the lives of ordinary people - as well as providing a more stable operating context for business.
“I look forward to working closely with the other Forum members as well as colleagues at the Department for Business and Trade as the UK enters an important period of negotiations with governments around the world.”
Congratulations to Robert on his appointment.