David Arkless
David Arkless | |
|---|---|
 Arkless at the World Economic Forum (2009) | |
| Born | February 1954 (age 72) |
| Education | Durham University (BA) INSEAD |
| Occupations | Business executive and consultant |
David Edwin Wilson Arkless (born February 1954) is a British businessman. He was president of Corporate and Government Affairs at ManpowerGroup and later president, International, of CDI Corporation.
Since 2013 he has served as chairman of ArkLight Consulting.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Arkless grew up on a council estate near Durham and was an active rugby player in his youth.[2]
He studied General Arts at Durham University, graduating in 1976.[3] He has subsequently completed executive programs at INSEAD, IMD and the College of Business at San Jose State University.[4]
Career
[edit]Arkless worked for Hewlett-Packard in the human resources department and later founded the business consultancy Caden Corporation, which was immediately successful.[2]
He joined staffing firm Manpower in 1993 when they bought his company. His first role was to "coordinate" Europe, which meant ensuring 42 independently run country organisations worked together smoothly.[2] In December 2008, he was appointed president of Corporate and Government Affairs, having previously served as senior vice-president of Global Corporate Affairs.[5] His work focused particularly on international labour markets, and he advised governments including those of China, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates.[6]
Arkless represented ManpowerGroup on the board of the International Confederation of Private Employment Agencies (CIETT) from 2007 and was elected its vice-president in 2011 for a three-year term.[7] He also served on advisory bodies associated with the International Organization for Migration and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and was a core adviser to the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT).[6]
After leaving ManpowerGroup, Arkless founded ArkLight Consulting. In October 2014, he joined CDI Corporation as executive vice-president and president, International.[8]
Arkless has also been involved in initiatives against human trafficking. He served as president of End Human Trafficking Now and was a founding counsellor and co-chair of the Global Business Coalition Against Trafficking.[6] In 2014, he gave evidence to the parliamentary joint committee scrutinising the Draft Modern Slavery Bill.[9]
Personal life
[edit]Arkless is an honorary professor at Durham University and a board member of Durham University Business School.[1] He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a member of the Travellers Club.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Curriculum Vitae: David Arkless" (PDF). Eurasia Heart Foundation. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 Milne, Janine (11 January 2012). "Talent Spot: David Arkless, president of End Human Trafficking Now!". HRZone. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
- ↑ "Final Examination for the Degree of B.A. in General Studies". University of Durham Gazette. XXII: 35. 31 January 1977. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
- ↑ "Leadership Summit Asia 2010". INSEAD. Archived from the original on 10 November 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
- ↑ "David Arkless". Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 "David Arkless". World Economic Forum. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
- ↑ "ManpowerGroup President of Corporate and Government Affairs, David Arkless, Named as Vice President of Ciett". PR Newswire. 2 October 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
- ↑ "Employment Agreement between CDI Corporation and David Arkless". Justia. 27 October 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
- ↑ "Draft Modern Slavery Bill: Witnesses". Parliament of the United Kingdom. 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2026.