26 June 2009
NWDA welcomes new Regional Economic Forecasting Panel
Chairman
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is pleased to
announce the appointment of Andrew McLaughlin as the new Chair of
the Regional Economic Forecasting Panel (REFP), taking over from
David Coates who sadly passed away in October last year.
Andrew is a first class economist who has worked, and continues
to work, for the Royal Bank of Scotland in Edinburgh and London for
14 years. Andrew is now Group Director, Communications and
Group Chief Economist for RBS.
Andrew has a Degree in Economics and Politics and a prize
winning Doctorate of Philosophy.
As Chair, Andrew will lead the REFP with their short and long
term economic forecasts for the Northwest, anticipating the
performance of the Northwest economy and helping to shape regional
strategy.
Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, said: “I am
pleased that Andrew has been appointed to this important role. The
very sad and sudden loss of David last year was a shock to us all
and we have had to re-think and re-group. Andrew has the calibre to
take the REFP forward with a wealth of high level experience.
I am looking forward to engaging in conversation with Andrew
regarding our economic outlook and it is an asset for the Agency to
have such a highly regarded economist working with us during this
challenging economic period.”
The Regional Economic Forecasting Panel was set up in
2003. It consists of 17 senior representatives of business,
academia and the public sector in the Northwest. On an annual
cycle, the Panel produces two sets of state-of-the-region reports
for the Northwest and its sub-regions, three year forecasts for the
Northwest updated six-monthly and a long-term forecast consistent
with the planning horizon for the Regional Economic Strategy.
The Panel's 2008 long-term forecast anticipates the performance
of the Northwest economy over the next twenty years. To understand
how the regional economy will perform in the future the panel
examines its recent past, which has seen substantial changes.
Detailed analysis is made of key productivity drivers in the
Northwest relative to the UK and other regions, and a consensus
view for future economic performance is provided. Andrew’s first
task will be to lead the REFP in producing the next short term
forecast which, during this current difficult economic climate,
will be even more important.
Prior to joining the panel for the first time, Andrew
McLaughlin, said: “I am really looking forward to working with the
REFP at such an interesting time on our economic journey. I am
pleased to be coming to the Northwest, one of the economic driving
forces of the country with an unrivalled industrial history and an
exciting forward thinking future.”
Len Collinson, Chairman of Private Sector Partners NW (PSP) and
founding member of the REFP, said: “It is important to have an
eminent economist as a successor to the highly successful David
Coates. The independence of the REFP is crucial to well informed
decisions. There are the beginnings of some signs of growth in our
business community that we should now encourage and nurture.”
The next forecast from the REFP is published on the 25th June
2009 and can be found at www.nwriu.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
Andrew McLaughlin Biography:
Andrew was born and educated in Scotland and has a degree in
Economics & Politics from Glasgow College and a Doctorate of
Philosophy, from the University of Strathclyde. Andrew’s
dissertation for his Doctorate won the 1994 Walter Bagehot Prize
for best UK dissertation, awarded by the Political Studies
Association. Andrew is also a winner of the Robert Dalgliesh
memorial prize for Economics
Apart from three years with Ernst & Young as a Corporate
Finance Director, Andrew has spent most of his working career with
the Royal Bank of Scotland. His current and most senior role is
Group Director, Communications and Group Chief Economist.
Andrew is 41
For further information please contact Neil Roscoe, Senior Press
Officer on 01925 400232 or mobile 07980 713282 or neil.roscoe@nwda.co.uk
For urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925
400259.
For further information and to view previous press releases
visit us at www.nwda.co.uk/press
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the
economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is
responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and
communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life