The ABI (Association of British Insurers) today announced the appointment of Rebecca Driver as Director of Research and Chief Economist. 

Rebecca joins the ABI from the Bank of England where she has worked for nearly eight years, most recently as Research Adviser to the external members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).  Before joining the Bank of England, Rebecca was a research Fellow in the Department of Economics at the University of Exeter and the University of Strathclyde.  She has also worked as an economist for the Economist Intelligence Unit.  She holds a PhD in economics from the University of Exeter.

Stephen Haddrill, ABI Director General, commented: 

“We are delighted to welcome Rebecca to the ABI.  Rebecca brings an outstanding set of skills and experience in economics and policy-related research.  This will be of real benefit to the ABI in further strengthening our role through informed, research- and evidence-based proposals and policies”.

Rebecca Driver said:

“The ABI is involved in the public policy debate on a wide front.  We need to back our positions with evidence.  My job is to ensure that we deliver that backing.  I shall be starting with a properly informed response to Stephen Timms’ request for an industry view on how the private sector can and will deliver value-for-money in managing pensions.  Other challenges will follow and I am looking forward to working with colleagues to meet them”.

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Notes for Editors

1.   Enquiries to:    

         Alan Leaman    020 7216 7440 (Mobile: 07957 482 330)

         Lucy Butler        020 7216 7411 (Mobile: 07712 841 184)

         Malcolm Tarling    020 7216 7410 (Mobile: 07776 147 667)

         Jonathan French      020 7216 7392 (Mobile: 07958 330 480)

2.      A photograph of Rebecca Driver is available from the ABI Press Office.

3.      The ABI is the trade association for Britain’s insurance industry. Its nearly 400 member companies provide over 94% of the insurance business in the UK. It represents insurance companies to the Government, and to the regulatory and other agencies, and is an influential voice on public policy and financial services issues. ABI member companies hold more than a sixth of all investments traded on the London Stock Exchange, on behalf of millions of pensioners and savers.

4.                  An ISDN line is available for broadcasts.

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