Press Release: IMF Managing Director Rodrigo de Rato Proposes Simon Johnson as Economic Counsellor and Director of the IMF's Research Department
IMF News, February 28, 2007
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Bibliographic details
- Published: February 28, 2007
Appointment announcement
- Press Release No. 07/34
- Date: February 28, 2007
- Mr. Rodrigo de Rato, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has notified the IMF Executive Board of his intention to appoint Professor Simon Johnson to the position of Economic Counsellor and Director of the Research Department at the IMF.
- He will succeed Mr. Raghuram Rajan, who resigned to return to academia in January 2007.
- The appointment is expected to be effective in late March 2007.
Rationale and stated qualifications
- Mr. de Rato’s assessment:
- "Simon Johnson clearly stands out as possessing the right blend of knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to successfully lead the Fund's Research Department and to excel in the role of our chief economist."
- Johnson is described as:
- A recognized leader in original economic research relevant to the Fund, including the study of the causes and effects of economic crises, as well as development and poverty issues.
- Having a proven ability to conceptualize a strong policy-oriented agenda, with an enduring interest in global economic policy issues and substantial expertise relevant to developing, emerging market, and advanced economies.
- A strategic thinker who has demonstrated managerial leadership.
- Able to communicate complex issues to policy makers and the general public.
Biography and professional background
- Personal and academic details:
- Mr. Johnson, 44, is a citizen of both the U.S. and U.K.
- Current position: Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute for Technology.
- Holds a PhD in Economics from MIT; previously received degrees from the Universities of Manchester and Oxford.
- Academic positions have included appointments at Harvard and Duke universities.
- Practical experience and public service:
- Ran a research center in Russia.
- Provided policy advice in a number of emerging market and developing countries.
- Served in an advisory capacity on a number of public sector bodies and think tanks in advanced economies, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Held a two-year appointment as Assistant Director in the IMF's Research Department in 2004-2006.
Contact and press information
- IMF EXTERNAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
- Public Affairs
- Media Relations
- E-mail: publicaffairs@imf.org; media@imf.org
- Fax: 202-623-6220
- Phone: 202-623-7100
Press Release: IMF Managing Director Rodrigo de Rato Proposes Simon Johnson as Economic Counsellor and Director of the IMF's Research Department (February 28, 2007). International Monetary Fund.