GWP Appoints New Executive Secretary

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Alan AtKisson as the new Executive Secretary of the Global Water Partnership.

Alan brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of leadership in the development sector.

“His strategic mindset, and commitment to excellence, as well as his track record balancing innovation and risk with solid programmatic results stood out during the selection process," said Pablo Bereciartua, GWP Chair, in announcing the appointment. "We are confident that Alan is the right person to lead GWP into its next chapter of success.”

Currently serving as Assistant Director-General and Director of the Department for Partnership and Innovation at Sida, where he leads 120 professionals with a global mandate and the delegated responsibility for hundreds of millions of Euros (several billion SEK) in multi-year funding, Alan has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in our sector. His passion for innovation, dedication to employee development, and strong focus on partnership building align seamlessly with GWP’s values.

Alan, prior to his role at Sida, served as the president of the AtKisson Group, a global network of sustainability professionals, and worked independently as an advisor to the UN and other inter-governmental initiatives. In this capacity, he collaborated with leaders in global companies, national governments, and international agencies, contributing to strategy development and implementation related to the 2030 Agenda and other agreements.

Water has been a prominent theme in Alan's work. His contributions range from supporting the Nile Basin Initiative and advising the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) to coaching global textile producers on water and climate issues. Alan has also played a significant role in training managers worldwide on Integrated Water Resource Management using sustainable development tools he developed. As an advisor to WWF International, he contributed to the development of principles and processes that underpin the current global sustainability frameworks for the Blue Economy of the oceans and seas.

 “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Per Bertilsson for his exceptional leadership during this transition period, and we are confident that our new Executive Secretary will build upon the strong foundation put in place by Per. Together, we will chart new heights and accomplish remarkable feats under Alan’s leadership. We are excited about the fresh perspectives and ideas Alan will bring to the table”, concludes GWP Chair Bereciartua.

Alan officially assumes the role on 1 February 2024, and we look forward to working together to achieve great success.