Wanted: thick-skinned maverick to head up World Trade Organization

As Roberto Azevedo steps down early, eight candidates step up for poisoned chalice of being WTO director general

Wanted: someone to step in and turn around a big and failing multilateral organisation. The post involves relocation to Geneva where the successful candidate will require the cunning of a Machiavelli, the political skills of Nelson Mandela and the thick skin of a rhinoceros. Plus a good dollop of luck.

The job description for director general of the World Trade Organization did not quite go like that, but none of the eight people who have put themselves forward to succeed Brazil's Roberto Azevedo are in any doubt as to the extent of the challenge.

The eight candidates to be the next director-general of the World Trade Organization are: