Rain Newton-Smith

Rain Newton-Smith is Chief Economist at the Confederation of British Industry and a board member of the Executive Committee. Leading the CBI’s economics and international teams, Rain centres her focus on global business leadership, economic and tax policy, and the transition to a sustainable, low carbon economy. Alongside her team, Rain helps top executives implement economic policies, and provides advice on global risks and the UK economic outlook.

Former Head of Emerging Markets at Oxford Economics, Rain has managed a sizeable team of economists as a lead expert on China. She has helped a variety of companies and financial institutions grow their business and expand into new markets by providing macroeconomic forecasts, analysis of Asia’s development and China’s position in the global economy. With further experience in leadership, Rain has previously worked for the Monetary Policy Committee on the international forecast at the Bank of England. Responsible for developing the UK financial system’s framework for risk assessment, Rain has led a large workforce to great outcomes. Whilst working at the bank, Rain was also an advisor to the UK executive director when on secondment to the International Monetary Fund in Washington D.C.

Named a Young Global Leader in 2012 by the World Economic Forum, Rain is a strategic leader. With an extensive career in finance, Rain currently stands as Chief Economist and as an Executive Committee member at the CBI. She is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Monetary and Fiscal Policy and is a Non-Executive Director at the F&C Investment Trust.

As a valued figure in economics and finance, Rain is a professional macroeconomist. With 20+ years of experience building the best teams and coalitions, Rain is experienced across disciplines and has solved many hard problems when it comes to policies. Making the best decisions for people and the planet, Rain is a leading speaker discussing the topics of leadership, sustainability, decarbonisation, wellbeing, and biodiversity.