Andres Ilves (also known as Andy Ilves, born Andres Erik Ilves) is a journalist and writer, currently Director, Near East and Eastern Europe at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Previously he worked for over a decade at the BBC, where he headed the Somali Service at BBC Africa, and prior to that as head of the Persian and Pashto Service of the BBC World Service, where he was responsible for BBC radio and online output in the languages of Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan, and the border areas of Pakistan. At the BBC he also served as Head of Development, Global News Marketing Communications & Audiences. He was also based in Nairobi, Kenya as the country director for Kenya and Somalia for BBC Media Action, where he oversaw a weekly Swahili-language Question Time-style television program and launched a ground-breaking radio drama for Somali youth.
In addition to his positions of editorial and managerial responsibility within the BBC, Ilves speaks and writes about current affairs, appearing on television as well.
Ilves is the editor of "More Light, Less Heat: Who holds power in the global conversation?", a collection of global thought leaders' views on how both the rapid changes in communication—from the internet to mobile phones—and the rise of extreme views have changed our world since the beginning of the 21st century.
Ilves has also been the chair of the board of trustees of Peace Direct, a UK-based charity providing support to peace builders in a dozen conflict zones around the world. His brother is Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who was the 4th President of Estonia.