Ian Proud

I've been a career diplomat for twenty three years, and passionate about learning and development for over a decade. Helping colleagues become the best versions of themselves at work and in their careers led me to my current role, after a four year posting to Russia where, in addition to my day job at the British Embassy, I was Director of the Diplomatic Academy for Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In my current role, I lead the International Academy's network of regional learning and development teams, based in 17 locations, stretching from Washington to Singapore.

We support a diverse workforce of nineteen thousand colleagues in two hundred and sixty countries, delivering coaching, learning and wider OD support to everyone who works in support of UK interests overseas, from Britain's Ambassadors, to Embassy gardeners. I also Head the Academy's Foreign Language Learning Function, and speak Russian and Thai to a high standard.

I hold a Level 7 CIPD Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Development and hope shortly to attain the status of Chartered FCIPD.

August 2019 - presentVice-Principal of the International Academy

Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office

London

• Advise FCDO Ministers and Board Members on L&D strategy to keep learning at the top of the corporate agenda.
• Lead delivery of learning to FCDO staff based overseas in UK Diplomatic Missions through L&D teams based in 17 offices from Washington to Singapore. 
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders across the organisation to optimise knit between learning, and OD, talent management and emerging strategic capability priorities. 
• Evolve the organisation design and development of the International Academy in light of strategic shifts in business priorities and funding. 
• Ensure business intelligence function gathers insight into learning to drive improvement in business impact at individual, team and organisational levels. 

2014 - 2019Director of Diplomatic Academy for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECAD).

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

British Embassy Moscow, Russia

• Oversee learning and delivery strategy for staff working in British Embassies in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. 
• Redesign delivery of xFCO flagship foundational knowledge and skills programme.
• Established mentoring network across EECAD Embassies, drawing on experienced Ambassadors and DHMs to mentor junior staff.

2012 - 2013Head of G8 Summit Delivery G8 Presidency Unit, CO/10 Downing Street

Cabinet Office/10 Downing Street

London

• Oversee delivery of the G8 Summit in Northern Ireland, 2013. 
• Advise the Prime Minister on summit deliverables and cost-sharing for £70m cost of event.
• Ensure strong leadership and learning culture for short-term workforce of 2000 volunteer staff.
• Ensure coherent approach to core skills for a complex, multi-agency team delivering a global Summit in the UK. 

CIPD Level 7 Diploma in Human Resource Development (3 Distinctions, 5 Merits)

BA (Hons) Public Policy and Administration, First Class