A former president of the World Bank Group will deliver this year’s Adam Smith Lecture.
Adam Smith College announced earlier this month that Sir James Wolfensohn, the group’s president between 1995 and 2005, will deliver the lecture on 8 August at St Bryce Kirk in Kirkcaldy.
Sir James is currently Chairman of Wolfensohn & Company, LLC and retired recently as Chairman of the Citigroup International Advisory Board. He served as Special Envoy for Gaza disengagement for the Quartet on the Middle East in 2005 and 2006 and prior to his public service, had a long and successful career in his own investment and advisory firm, as well as leadership positions at firms in Sydney, London and New York.
Alongside his great career accomplishments, Sir James also has a strong academic background along with experience as an officer in the Royal Australian Air Force.
He was also a member of the 1956 Australian Olympic Team and is the recipient of many national and international medals and awards in recognition of his public service and his support for the Arts.
Sir James was invited to deliver the lecture by Adam Smith College Chancellor, Gordon Brown MP. The event is part of a series of events taking place in Kirkcaldy on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 August which will pay tribute to Adam Smith and his work.
Ian Harrington, Principal of Adam Smith College, said: “We are delighted that Sir James Wolfensohn has accepted our invitation to speak at the next Adam Smith Lecture. He has a great deal of experience and wealth of knowledge in the area of finance and business and this is a rare opportunity for those attending to learn from his years of wisdom.
“The Adam Smith Lecture is a prestigious event and we are very pleased to be working in partnership this year with the Adam Smith Global Foundation who will be holding a Colloquium event in the town followed by a dinner in the College on the day before the Lecture.
“We look forward to welcoming many international guests to the lecture, who alongside staff, students and friends of the College, will join us to celebrate the launch of the Adam Smith Global Foundation and to pay tribute to Adam Smith.
“The new Adam Smith Global Foundation events, alongside the Adam Smith Lecture will certainly help to put Kirkcaldy on the map and we are excited to be involved in something which, longer term, will help to generate the town and commemorate the life and work of Kirkcaldy’s ‘famous son’.”
Members of the public interested in attending the Adam Smith Lecture should register their interest by emailing HazelThomson@adamsmith.ac.uk Tickets will be issued on a first come first served basis.
For further information about the Adam Smith Global Foundation Inaugural Dinner and Colloquium event on 7th and 8th August email info@adamsmithglobalfoundation.com