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The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, has announced Professor Jonathan Haskel as her nominated candidate for the Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

Professor Haskel is a Professor of Economics at 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ Business School. His research on productivity and growth has shaped economic thinking both in the UK and internationally. He has held senior roles across academia, public policy and independent oversight and has a record of public service. 

He served as an External Member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee from 2018 to 2024, a non-Executive Director of the UK Statistics Authority from 2016 to 2022, and an External Member of the Reporting Panel of the Competition and Markets Authority from 2001 to 2009. He was awarded a CBE for services to Economics in 2018.

In 2017, he was awarded the Indigo Prize, a new economics prize that celebrates radical and creative thinking in how to measure the modern economy. He has also written two books: Capitalism without Capital: The Rise of the Intangible Economy and Restarting the Future: How to Fix the Intangible Economy. 

New chapter for the OBR

The OBR has executive responsibility for producing the official UK economic and fiscal forecasts, assessing the Government’s performance against its fiscal rules, and reporting on the sustainability of and risks to the public finances. As an independent institution, the OBR is committed to providing objective, transparent and impartial analysis. 

"His depth of expertise in economics and his track record of independent, rigorous analysis make him exactly the right person to lead the OBR." Rachel Reeves Chancellor of the Exchequer

Upon his appointment, Professor Haskel will join David Miles, Professor of Financial Economics at 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ Business School, who has served as a member of the OBR’s Budget Responsibility Committee since 2022 and is currently providing interim leadership alongside his colleague Tom Josephs. 

Professor Jonathan Haskel said: “I am honoured to be nominated as the next Chair of the OBR. The OBR plays an indispensable role in maintaining the transparency and integrity of the UK’s public finances, and I am committed to upholding that. I would like to thank the 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ staff and students I have worked with over the past years. I also want to thank Professor David Miles and Tom Josephs for their outstanding leadership of the OBR during this period.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: “Jonathan Haskel is an outstanding nominee for Chair. His depth of expertise in economics and his track record of independent, rigorous analysis make him exactly the right person to lead the OBR – supporting the credibility of our fiscal framework and ensuring our economy is underpinned by sound public finances.”

Professor Peter Todd, Dean of 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ Business School said: “Congratulations to Jonathan for this wonderful achievement. This is a richly deserved recognition. He is a tremendous ambassador for 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ, and we are enormously proud of his accomplishments. That two of our academics should sit at the very heart of the UK's fiscal council is a remarkable testament to the strength and depth of economic thinking here at 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ.”

The Treasury Committee approves all appointments to the Budget Responsibility Committee, including the Chair. Professor Haskel will appear before the committee for a pre-appointment hearing in due course and it is anticipated he will take up his post in time to oversee the OBR produce its forecast alongside the Budget later this year.