Andy Haldane, the former Bank of England chief economist, has been named the next president of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), succeeding Baroness Martha Lane-Fox when her three-year term ends in February.
Haldane, one of Britain’s most influential economic thinkers, was a member of the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) for more than six years. Known for his unconventional and prescient analysis, he warned of the “tiger” of inflation in the wake of the pandemic – a warning that proved prescient as prices later soared and central banks moved to tighten monetary policy.
Since leaving the bank, Haldane has remained an important voice in economic policy. He was appointed to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Economic Advisory Council in 2022, a group set up as part of the Liz Truss mini-budget to help restore confidence in the UK’s financial management. He also leads the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), where he focuses on regional inequality, productivity and the future of work.
His new role at the BCC puts him at the center of the British business community at a crucial moment. Businesses are grappling with slowing growth, geopolitical uncertainty and the prospect of higher taxes ahead of the government’s November budget. Many sectors are also facing labor shortages, weak consumer demand and tighter financing conditions as interest rates remain high.
Haldane said his appointment came at a crucial time for the UK economy: “The Chambers have celebrated and supported the brilliance of the UK economy for many decades,” he said. “However, their role has never been more important than it is today.”
The BCC, which represents tens of thousands of businesses through its nationwide network of local chambers, has increasingly positioned itself as the pragmatic voice of business in Westminster.
Haldane’s arrival is expected to strengthen the organization’s economic credibility and deepen its engagement with policymakers – particularly in the areas of productivity, regional growth and industrial strategy.
