Mark Leighton has dedicated the past 20 years of his professional career to social and economic development, human rights, and child rights across the world, especially in Latin America and Asia.

 

Mark joined Plan in 1997, having previously worked with other development agencies in the United Kingdom and Asia. One of Mark’s first key assignments in Plan was as a country management team member in Latin America for 5 years. 

 

Mark’s academic background reflects a broad interest in social and cultural issues. He holds a first-class undergraduate degree in linguistics and sociology, and a master’s degree in development management from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

 

Mark has been visiting China regularly since 1992 and assumed the role of Plan China’s Country Director in 2008. Like many others, Mark is struck by the speed of change in Chinese society and economic life. He credits this to – and is regularly impressed by – the increasingly outward looking, questioning and globalised attitudes of the Chinese people, especially young people.

 

• Cao Yuhu, People and Culture Manager 
• Liu Bing, Programme Support Manager 
• Huang Jinwen, Finance Manager