LSE academic named as International Monetary Fund’s new chief economist

Professor Silvana Tenreyro has been appointed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as Economic Counsellor and Director of their Research Department (RES).

Based in the Department of Economics at LSE, Professor Tenreyro’s research has been widely published in leading journals and recognised with international honours.

She was an external member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee from 2017 to 2023 and, earlier in her career, worked as an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and was a member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of Mauritius.

Professor Tenreyro is the second woman to take on the role, which she will assume on 10 August 2026.

Commenting on the appointment, Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said: “I am delighted to announce that Silvana Tenreyro will join the Fund as our next Chief Economist. Silvana is a globally respected economist who combines outstanding academic achievements with extensive policy making experience and a close engagement with leading international institutions.

“At a time of profound transformation and heightened uncertainty in the global economy, Silvana’s mix of intellectual leadership and policy experience will help ensure that the Fund’s analytical work and multilateral surveillance and policy advice will remain at the cutting edge in support of our membership.”

Commenting on her appointment, Professor Tenreyro said: “I am delighted to join the IMF, and I will do my best to help advance the Fund’s mission of stability, economic growth and shared prosperity. This wouldn’t have happened without LSE, where like no where ese, it is possible to combine rigorous academic work while being engaged in policy. That combination is what makes LSE unique and is why I am so proud to be part of the LSE community.”

For more information visit the IMF’s website.