Published: Jan. 22, 2014

The University of Colorado Law School announced that Britt Banks has been appointed as Executive Director of the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment.

For over 20 years, Banks has been a leader in the international natural resources sector, as a senior corporate executive, attorney, consultant, researcher and teacher, having most recently taught at Tokyo’s Waseda University. He has previously taught at Colorado Law, where he graduated in 1988, and currently serves on the Center’s Advisory Council.

In 2008, he retired as Executive Vice President, Legal and External Affairs, at Denver-based Newmont Mining Corporation, one of the world’s largest gold producers. At Newmont, he had oversight responsibility for legal affairs, environmental compliance, sustainable development, government relations and security. He also has held numerous leadership positions with the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), a London-based industry association working to improve member performance in the areas of sustainable development, environmental stewardship, employee health and safety, materials management and social responsibility.

Banks also co-chairs the Global Agenda Council on Responsible Mineral Resource Development at the World Economic Forum in Geneva, and was a founding member of the Forum’s Partnering Against Corruption Initiative (PACI) Task Force.

Ěý“Britt is a natural leader who is deeply committed to engaging policy makers, civil society and the public, industry and our students on our most pressing natural resources, energy and environmental challenges,” said Professor Charles Wilkinson. “With his appointment, the Center is well-positioned to significantly enhance Colorado Law’s legacy of creative, interdisciplinary research; bold, inclusive teaching; and innovative problem solving.”

“We are thrilled to have someone as talented as Britt leading such an important facet of Colorado Law,” said Dean Phil Weiser. “We are particularly excited that he is one of our own, someone who developed under the guidance of our namesakes David Getches and Charles Wilkinson, and who has actively collaborated with the Center for many years and understands its vision and mandate well.”

“Both David and Charles have been pivotal figures in my life and career, as friends and mentors, and I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to work with the Center’s tremendous faculty members and researchers to continue to build its important legacy,” Banks said. “The Getches-Wilkinson Center offers a terrific platform for research, policy innovation and dialogue on some of the more significant issues of our day. I am also proud to follow in the footsteps of the Center’s outstanding past directors, including outgoing Director Brad Udall.”

Udall will return to full-time research as a Senior Fellow of the Center, while also pursuing other opportunities in climate change, water policy and governance. “I am delighted to pass the torch to Britt,” said Udall, “and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with the Center team and the broader CU community going forward.”Ěý

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