Gordon Brown takes up post of economic adviser

Gordon Brown has been appointed as an adviser to the World Economic Forum on tackling global issues.

The former prime minister is to chair a new policy and initiatives co-ordination board for the Geneva-based organisation, it was announced yesterday.

He will be unpaid, although the forum will support his staff costs.

The announcement comes just days after the prospect of Mr Brown becoming the next head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was all but ruled out by his Downing Street successor, David Cameron.

The Prime Minister said Mr Brown was not "the most appropriate person" to take on the 270,000-a-year IMF role because he failed to understand the dangers of debt.

But Professor Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, said Mr Brown had "a wealth of knowledge and experience".

"As his recent book clearly demonstrates, he has valuable insights into the global agenda that will complement and inform many of the forum's initiatives," Prof Schwab said.

"His counsel will help ensure that the forum remains rigorous and focused - true to its commitment to improve the state of the world."

Despite remaining an MP, Mr Brown has kept a low profile in Westminster since leaving No 10 last May, but has written a book called Beyond the Crash: Overcoming the First Crisis of Globalisation.

The former PM said: "With the challenges the world faces, it is vital that all stakeholders are engaged in solving them. The World Economic Forum is uniquely placed to bring those stakeholders together and support the global agenda."

In a speech to business leaders in South Queensferry last night, Mr Brown was expected to warn that the world was failing to take on board the lessons of the financial crisis.