Economic Speakers

Andrew Neil

The Daily Mail called Andrew “The titan of broadcasting, famed for his interrogation of the powerful, and The Times said: “The ultimate test for assessing whether a party leader was fit to be Prime Minister is to put them in front of Andrew Neil for forty minutes, the most forensic interviewer in broadcasting.” With wry humour added to genuine insight and an enviable network of business, economic and political connections, the publisher, businessman and broadcaster considers the plots, policies and personalities making the news. 

Tim Harford

The BBC presenter, Oxford Fellow, data detective and million-selling author is a compelling storyteller on economics, psychology and the unexpected bits in between. Tim explores innovation and how ideas spread, what disasters teach us about ourselves, the power of price, and the use of uncertainty as a competitive weapon. He also reveals truths and myths in data – whether public information, misinformation or deliberate disinformation.

Robert Peston

Robert Peston is ITV's Political Editor, as well as the presenter of the channel's flagship politics show Peston, where he covers the latest developments in Westminster and beyond. He's also co-host of the podcast The Rest is Money alongside Steph McGovern, where they explore stories from the world of business and finance. He has won a number of awards for his work - including Journalist of the Year, Specialist Journalist of the Year and Scoop of the Year (twice) from the Royal Television Society.

Gillian Tett

Trained as a social anthropologist, Gillian ran the FT Tokyo bureau before serving as US Managing Editor. Her research skills enabled her to see the financial crisis coming. She continues to analyse markets, policy and finance, whilst also considering the shortcomings of corporate structures.

Dr Pippa Malmgren

Since serving in the White House, Pippa has founded an advisory firm, co-founded a robotics company, and written bestsellers on the world economy and leadership. She's advised the UK Department of International Trade and the MoD, as well as investors, policy makers and startups. She identifies actionable trends by weaving together geopolitics, technology, policy and economics. Pippa describes herself as an unusually optimistic economist.

Professor Trevor Williams

The former Chief Economist at Lloyds Bank provides insightful economics overviews and considers how politics, demographics and climate change are shaping the economy. As part of the Institute of Economic Affairs’ Shadow Monetary Policy Committee, Trevor has a close eye on the Bank of England’s decisions. In speeches, he makes complex economic theories and trends understandable and relevant to any organisation.

Simon Jack

After an early career in commercial and investment banking, Simon went on to be the chief business presenter on Radio 4’s Today programme. As Editor he now leads the broadcaster’s coverage of events in the business world from money markets to the tech sector. Combining insight and analysis from the corporate frontline with an ability to explain the intricacies of markets and policy in an accessible, even entertaining way, Simon also reveals what you can learn from interviewees’ body language, and how reporting on the financial markets is very much like dealing with children.

Paul Johnson

Before heading the independent research institute Paul was the Treasury’s Director of Public Spending. Now heading arguably the country’s leading economic research organisation, Paul considers the size of cuts to come, welfare and tax. He also examines radical changes in pension policy and how well pensioners are doing relative to those of working age; the behaviour of the labour market; and how we have witnessed a fall in living standards combined with a fall in inequality.

Steph McGovern

Steph went from Black & Decker engineer to BBC Breakfast business reporter and co-presenter before presenting her own Channel 4 show and co-hosting The Rest is Money podcast with Robert Peston. She also fronted Watchdog, Pocket Money Pitch, Made in Great Britain, and Shop Well For Less - covering all aspects of real life business and economics. In the process she’s been trained in lean production, explained monetary and economic policy, and danced an impromptu Irish jig live on air.

Robert Guest

Robert is The Economist’s Deputy Editor. Previously he was US editor, business editor, Washington correspondent and Lexington columnist covering American news and politics.

Claer Barrett

The Consumer Editor at the Financial Times and host of their Money Clinic podcast, Claer Barrett has vast knowledge of finance and consumer issues. From economic overviews to personal finance, consumerism to digitalisation, she makes everything she covers accessible and relevant. She considers finance sociologically and explores how it intersects with global issues such as mental health and the gender gap.

Mark Carney

Mark was the first non-British Governor since the BoE’s foundation in 1694. He increased the policy tools and designed stress tests to measure banks’ vulnerability to climate risk. As UN Special Envoy for Climate Action & Finance, Mark now analyses the path to net zero, believing it should be taken into account in every financial decision. He also offers a broad macro outlook.