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.
How to hire Rain Newton-Smith
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Rain Newton-Smith for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
Rain is known to speak on the following topics:
- Macroeconomics and scenario building
- Economic Policy for Sustainable Growth
- Multilateral Institutions
- Global Governance
- Race to Net Zero
- Climate
- Biodiversity
- Sustainable Finance
- Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Frameworks
- 2021 - Non-Executive Director of the F&C Investment Trust
- 2014 - Chief Economist at the Confederation of British Industry
- 2012 - Named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum
- 2008 - Head of Emerging Markets for Oxford Economics
- 2004 - Advisor to the UK Executive Director at IMF
- 1999 - Economist and Research Advisor for the MPC Unit at the Bank of England