IDP Education Announces New Director of US Business Development

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's largest student placement firm, IDP Education, has named Chris Elam director of client relations and business development for the USA. Chris joins IDP with more than 18 years of experience in higher education management roles across business, finance and student services.

"I look forward to successfully representing the US higher education system with new strategic collaborations that will help us grow our international student populations," Elam says.  Before coming to IDP Education, Chris spent 18 years managing higher education sales teams for several of the largest financial institutions in the world, including Bank of America, Sallie Mae and Lehman Brothers as well as the Language Testing division of Pearson.  In his various capacities he has successfully led national sales teams in developing new business, driving sales growth, developing new channels of business, turning around declining operations, and building and motivating teams.

IDP has been placing students in Australia for more than 20 years.  The organization expanded to the United States in May 2009, and since that time has built the largest portfolio of university partners of any agency worldwide. 

The size and scope of the counseling network sets IDP apart from other student placement services and allows it to act as a global advocate for higher education in the United States.  The relationship between IDP and the American university is a trusted partnership: IDP's mission is to fully understand all aspects of an institution and the types of students it seeks to recruit.  This approach ensures the best match and makes IDP a vital part of the recruitment process.

About IDP Education
IDP Education is the world's largest student placement firm, with more than 70 counseling centers in over 20 countries.  The company is jointly owned by 38 Australian universities and is one-third owner of the IELTS English proficiency exam, along with the British Council and University of Cambridge.  The IDP USA venture is an expansion of the already successful Australian student placement service. For more information, visit www.usa.idp.com.

SOURCE IDP Education