Gordon Slaven is currently Director Education, Science and Society in the British Council. He has a particular interest in the roles of education, skills and governance in the development of innovation and a knowledge-based economy. He sits on a number of groups covering international education: co-chair of the PMI2 Programme Board; member of the Education UK Partnership Executive Board; member of UKTI's Sector Advisory Group for Education; and in 2006-7 was a member of the steering group for the last Lord Mayor's education, training and qualifications (ETQ) initiative for financial services.

Gordon Slaven chaired session 5a - Global talent wars.