Government appointment for St Andrews Principal

Professor Louise Richardson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews, has been appointed to the Scottish Government’s Council of Economic Advisers (CEA).

Established in 2007, the Council of Economic Advisers has provided expert economic advice to Ministers on positioning Scotland amongst the world’s most competitive economies.

Professor Richardson is one of three new appointments by Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond to the CEA. The other new Advisers are Nobel Laureate Professor Joseph Stiglitz and the Scottish Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Anne Glover.

The CEA is to be chaired by Crawford Beveridge CBE who will follow on from Sir George Mathewson.

Nobel Laureate Sir James Mirrlees, Jim McColl, Professor Andrew Hughes Hallett, also of St Andrews, and Professor Frances Ruane will remain on the group.

These appointments follow the publication of the Scottish Government’s Economic Strategy in September. The updated strategy sets the direction for the whole of the public sector – Scottish Government, local government, enterprise networks, Visit Scotland and other key agencies – to work collaboratively with the private, academic and third sectors to accelerate economic growth throughout the country.

First Minister Alex Salmond said:

“The CEA plays a crucial role in advising the Scottish Government as it works to address the challenges and opportunities of the global economic downturn and to accelerate sustainable economic growth.

“Over the past four years the CEA has brought together some of the best minds to focus on increasing Scotland’s competitiveness and economic success.

“I would like to welcome new members, Professor Stiglitz, Prof Glover and Prof Richardson, to the CEA. The three new members are all at the forefront of their academic fields and I am confident that the group, and Scotland’s economy, will benefit from their knowledge and experience.

“The CEA will play an important role as we take forward our ambitious programme for Government and create a more successful Scotland.”

New CEA Chair Crawford Beveridge CBE said:

“I am delighted to continue in the reconvened Council of Economic Advisers and to be invited to Chair such a distinguished group of academics, economists and entrepreneurs.

“Each member will bring their own unique mix of talent and experience to the forum and I am confident that Scotland will benefit greatly from their membership.

“I look forward to working with my fellow Council members to help advise the First Minister on the three priorities he has identified: Jobs and Recovery; Internationalisation and Economic Levers”.

Ends

Note to Editors

Political scientist Prof Richardson is Principal and Vice-Chancellor at St Andrews. Prof. Richardson served as Assistant and then Associate Professor in the Harvard Government Department, teaching courses on international relations. Professor Richardson currently serves on the advisory board for a number of institutions in the UK, Ireland, and the US, furthering understanding of the humanities, political violence, and human rights.

Issued by the University of St Andrews.

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