Oxford: CBI appoints new director of economics

Published by

TBM Team

The CBI has appointed Rain Newton-Smith as director of economics.

Newton-Smith was most recently head of emerging markets at Oxford Economics where she managed a large team of economists and was the lead expert on China. She provided macroeconomic forecasts and analysis on China's role in the global economy and the development of Asia, helping a range of companies and international financial institutions to expand into new markets.

Prior to that, she worked in monetary policy and international forecast to the MPC at the Bank of England where she led a team with responsibility for developing a risk assessment framework for the UK financial system. While at the Bank, she also went on secondment to the International Monetary Fund in Washington D.C. where she was adviser to the UK executive director.

In 2010, Newton-Smith was selected as one of Management Today’s 35 Women Under 35.

John Cridland, CBI director-general, said: “I am delighted to welcome Rain to the CBI. The UK recovery is firming up but there is still much more to be done to ensure it is sustainable in the long term, and Rain’s breadth of experience will be crucial in helping us determine the right policies to support businesses as they expand and grow.

“Rain’s international expertise, particularly in Asia, will be key to supporting the CBI’s efforts to get more businesses exporting their products and services to high-growth markets around the world. As a former Bank of England economist, Rain also has in-depth knowledge of the UK’s financial system.”

Newton-Smith said: “I am really pleased to be joining the CBI to support its important work in helping to get UK growth back on track for the long-term at such an exciting time for British business.

“The CBI has an excellent reputation for economic analysis and is uniquely positioned to provide timely business insights, including through its regular surveys and forecasts. I look forward to building on those strengths.”

Rain lives in Oxford with her husband and four children.

TBM Team