Joe Cerrell Appointed to Lead New European Office - Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

SEATTLE – The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced that Joe Cerrell has been appointed to head its new European office in London, effective January 1, 2010. Cerrell is currently the foundation’s director of global health policy and advocacy.

"Expanding our work in Europe is an important priority for the foundation, and we’re very pleased that Joe will be leading this effort," said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation. "Joe has been a senior leader at the foundation for many years and has played a central role in its development and growth. He has also led highly successful global health advocacy activities, many of which were conducted with European partners."

In his new role, Cerrell will oversee the Gates Foundation's policy, advocacy, and communications activities in Europe. His team will expand the foundation’s partnerships with European non-governmental organizations, foundations, governments, multilateral organizations, and other groups, and manage a portfolio of policy and advocacy grants. The foundation counts amongst its most important partners development agencies such as the UK Department for International Development, GTZ in Germany, Groupe Agence Française de Développement in France, and others. Cerrell will report to Geoffrey Lamb, managing director for public policy.

The European office will also liaise with Gates Foundation grantees throughout Europe. The foundation also funds European groups for a wide range of research, program, and advocacy projects, primarily related to global health and development. Some of these partners include Development Initiatives, Action Aid, German Foundation for World Population, and others.

"Our European partners are some of the most innovative and bold influencers working to alleviate extreme poverty and disease in the developing world," said Jeff Raikes, chief executive officer of the foundation. "Joe is an excellent choice to deepen our relationships with colleagues in Europe who are working alongside us."

Cerrell has worked at the Gates Foundation since 2001. As director of global health policy and advocacy, Cerrell has successfully led the foundation’s efforts to increase awareness, political commitment, and financial resources to address global health challenges. Among other achievements, he and his group worked actively with European governments in the development and implementation of several new finance mechanisms, including the International Financial Facility for Immunization, the Affordable Medicines Facility for malaria drugs, and the Advanced Market Commitment, unlocking billions of dollars in new financial resources for global health.

Previously, Cerrell served as assistant press secretary to former U.S. Vice President Al Gore where he worked on energy and environmental issues. Cerrell currently serves on the board of directors for the ONE Campaign, UNITAID, the Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, and the Music National Service Initiative. He is also an advisory board member of the Clinton Global Initiative.

Cerrell will continue as director of global health policy and advocacy until the end of 2009. The foundation has initiated a search for his replacement.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. In addition to London, the foundation has offices in Washington, D.C.; Beijing, China; and Delhi, India.