Ex-BlackRock head of macro research joins German Ministry for Economic Affairs

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action has appointed Elga Bartsch as director general for economic policy.

She was previously head of macroeconomic research at investment manager BlackRock, and before that was global co-head of economics and chief European economist at Morgan Stanley in London.

Bartsch began her career as a research associate at the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, where she worked within the office of the President in Germany.

The economist obtained her Ph.D. from Kiel University, and has also studied at the London School of Economics.

In a note on LinkedIn announcing her appointment, Bartsch said: “After a six-month break from economics, I am excited to start a new position as Director General for Economic Policy at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action in Berlin, Germany.

She added: “A key focus for the Directorate will be evolving the unique concept of a Social Market Economy, which shaped Germany‘s postwar economic success, towards a social-ecological market economy that actively supports the transformation towards climate neutrality.

Bartsch’s new remit includes leading work on a broad range of economic policy issues including labour markets and social security, public finances and tax policy.