Alessio Zanelli

In 2006, I graduated from the LSE's European Institute with a MSc in the Political Economy of the countries transitioning from a centrally planned economy to a market-based economy. I joined the World Bank Group in 2009 and am currently a Senior Private Sector Specialist of the Global Investment Climate team: advising national and local governments on regulatory and administrative reforms to improve the business environment and promote private sector growth.

My main area of interest is business regulation reform, focusing particularly on business entry and operation. I’ve worked in over thirty countries worldwide, with extensive experience as project and technical lead in Europe and the Middle East, but also with experience in Sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia. Over the past few years I’ve also co-authored several policy notes and reform memoranda, and have led the subnational benchmarking of business regulations in Egypt and Italy.

Born in the north-eastern corner of Italy, in Udine, a few dozen kilometers away from what was then the Yugoslavian border, I have always been fascinated by the political culture and economic systems of our next-door neighbors. Back in the 1980s, they seemed to be so far away and yet they were so close. Later on, it was horrible to see these countries ravaged by war and ethnic cleansing. When peace finally arrived and the reconstruction began, it felt that Europe was finally ready to become a peaceful, stable, and prosperous continent, capable of implementing the principles of democracy and social justice.

I have fond memories of my studies at the European Institute, which I regard as the pinnacle of my academic career. The European Institute is a hub of great minds: open, inclusive, and supportive of diverse perspectives and ideas. While at LSE, I interacted with students from all over the world: some of them became dear friends. My professors were simply stellar. Prof. Nicholas Barr, for instance, remains for me the epitome of how complex topics can be explained with simple words. Also, I still have a vivid memory of Prof. Bob Hancké explaining us the different varieties of capitalism using the US and Germany as examples of how the financial systems, skill formation, and industrial relations can be structured - all this while having a pint of ale after the class was over! Pure gold!