abrdn chief economist to return to RBA
Jeremy Lawson, chief economist and head of the abrdn Research Institute, has been appointed deputy head of the international department of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), effective August 2023.
Lawson had previously been with abrdn for over a decade.
His resume would also include a year and a half as senior US economist at BNP Paribas, and 11 months as deputy director of macroeconomics at the Institute of International Finance.
As an economist, his work focused on the intersection between macroeconomics, political economy, public policy and asset pricing.
Sharing the news on LinkedIn, Lawson considered the new role a “homecoming” for him. He had previously worked at the RBA for seven years and held a range of positions in the economic analysis and economic research departments until his departure in 2008.
“I began my career at the RBA, and it is more than fair to say that I wouldn’t be the economist I am today without the guidance and mentoring of the senior staff I worked under, many of whom are still at the Bank today,” he wrote.
“I enjoyed and learned a lot working on the buy-and-sell side in the US and UK but it will be great returning to public policy — my first love and the reason I became an economist — at such an important time, working under Penelope Smith and Christopher Kent as well as with everyone else in the department and across the Bank.”
Lawson’s departure from the global investment firm would follow a series of people moves and management changes at the Australian business.
In April, SG Hiscock announced changes to the abrdn Australian funds following the announcement of a strategic partnership between the two firms. This would see SG Hiscock become abrdn’s wholesale distribution partner in Australia and distribute the firm’s international funds to the Australian market.
Earlier this year, Michelle Lopez, head of Australian equities at abrdn, also announced she would depart the firm after 18 years.
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Rhea Nath
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