MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Top IMF official joins White House as special assistant on international economic affairs

Carline Atkinson joined the IMF November 2008 at the peak of the financial crisis

International Monetary Fund's external relations director Caroline Atkinson resigned Thursday after being appointed the as a White House special assistant to the president for international economic affairs.

Atkinson was appointed to the IMF post in November 2008. The IMF will begin shortly the process of selecting a new EXR Director; Mr. Gerry Rice will serve, effective immediately, as Acting Director

According to a statement released to the press by IMF chief Christine Lagarde,  Atkinson had contributed significantly to strengthening the fund's reputation.

“Caroline Atkinson joined EXR when the global financial crisis was raging. With deep experience as an economist and a communicator, Caroline has successfully led the Fund’s outreach through very challenging times. Speaking as someone who has the ‘audience’ perspective, I can say that she has substantively contributed to strengthening the Fund's reputation in recent years”, said Ms Lagarde.

“During her Fund career, Caroline has made other important contributions across a wide range of issues, including country and policy works in the European Department, the Western Hemisphere Department, and the Policy Development and Review Department (now the Strategy, Policy and Review Department)”, added the IMF chief.

Ms Atkins has consistently displayed intellectual strength together with an effective and inclusive management style, and “we have benefited from her extensive experience gained at the Bank of England, the U.S. Treasury, and the Council on Foreign Relations. She has made tireless efforts to help us all think more broadly on the issues we face both externally and internally. She has also been a champion of diversity in the Fund”.