Ms. Patricia R. Francis

Executive Director

Patricia R. Francis, an award-winning leader and business facilitator, joined the International Trade Centre as Executive Director in June 2006.

During her tenure at ITC, the annual project implementation has almost doubled the delivery of technical assistance from US$ 25.3 million to US$47.8 million in 2011 when larger, multi-year programmes representing more than 50% of the portfolio.

She has also led a change management process which has established a strategic planning and reporting cycle, mainstreamed MDG programmes for gender, environment and poverty and introduced results based management and accountability principles. A new brand identity has aligned ITC values to its profile.

Access to information for Developing Countries has been enhanced through free on-line Trade Analysis Tools, the publications programme and Trade Forum magazine. All supported by a new website.

Clients needs are reviewed annually through ITC client survey, and partnerships have been strengthened through active participation in the WTO’s Aid for Trade and One UN initiatives which seek to achieve greater coherence among international and trade related organizations. ITC has also conducted a major study of programme support functions to streamline processes, and is reviewing financial administration systems to ensure greater efficiencies and transparency in its operations.

Ms. Francis came to ITC from Jamaica Trade and Invest, where she served as President for ten years. She was a member of Jamaica’s Cabinet Committee for Development and during her tenure Jamaica attracted more than US$ 5 billion in foreign direct investment. She served twice as President of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies and the China-Caribbean Business Council.

She is currently on the advisory boards of IESE graduate business school and a former member of the Eminent Persons Group for the Commonwealth, a group created to examine options for reform of the Commonwealth’s many institutions.