The Inspiris Scholarship Scheme was launched under the chairmanship of Professor Sir Nick Stern in 2005

Professor Sir Nicholas Stern led a report for the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the Economics of Climate Change.  Prior to this, Sir Nicholas was Director of Policy and Research at the Commission for Africa.

Sir Nicholas was until recently Head of the UK Government Economic Service and Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics, where he is soon to be the first holder of the IG Patel Chair in Economics and Government. 

He was previously the Second Permanent Secretary at HM Treasury, Chief Economist and Senior Vice-President of the World Bank, and Chief Economist and Special Counsellor to the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.  He is a world-renowned author on development issues.