Sir Philip Rutnam Appointed New Chair of NIESR’s Council of Management

The trustees of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research have appointed Sir Philip Rutnam as Chair of its Council of Management. Sir Philip takes over from Neil Gaskell, who has been acting as chair in the interim since Professor Nicholas Crafts died last year.

NIESR President Paul Tucker said: “Speaking on behalf of the trustees, we are simply delighted that Philip Rutnam is becoming the new chair of NIESR’s Council, at what is such a critical time for the contribution of economic policy and ideas to the life of our country. We also want to record publicly our warm thanks to Neil Gaskell for stepping into the gap so tragically left by Nick Crafts last year.”

NIESR Director Jagjit Chadha said: “I am very much looking forward to working with Philip as the chair of our Council.  His exceptional experience in public administration will provide considerable support to the work and impact of the Institute, as it seeks to respond to the challenge of poor economic and social policy.”

Sir Philip said: “I am honoured to be appointed as the next chair of NIESR’s Council. NIESR has exceptional importance as a source of expert advice and independent thinking on economic policy and addresses issues that are fundamental to the welfare of all. I look forward to working closely with the trustees and staff.”

Sir Philip Rutnam:

Philip has spent most of his career as a senior civil servant. He was a senior official in the Treasury and the Department for Business before becoming Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport (2012-17) and then the Home Office (2017-20). He also worked outside Government as an investment banker in Hong Kong and later at Ofcom, where he helped to establish the regulator and then joined its Board.