Reserve Bank of Australia appoints Sarah Hunter as chief economist 

The Reserve Bank of Australia has named Sarah Hunter as chief economist and assistant governor (economic) of the central bank.

She takes over the role from Luci Ellis, who resigned in July to join Westpac Banking Corp. after a three-decade career at the RBA.

Hunter will be responsible for leading the bank’s economic group, which consists of its economic analysis and economic research divisions. She has a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Oxford, and has held senior roles in academia, consulting and the public sector.

She joins RBA from the Commonwealth Treasury, where she has overseen the analysis of current conditions and economic forecasts as head of macroeconomic conditions. Prior to this she was a partner at KPMG in the consulting firm’s economics and tax center, and previously helped establish the Americas, Asia Pacific and Australian offices at Oxford Economics.

Commenting on her appointment, RBA Governor Michele Bullock said Hunter will bring a “unique and diverse perspective” to the bank and its leadership team.

Hunter said: “I am honoured and privileged to be joining the RBA. I am very much looking forward to working with the Governor, the leadership team and the RBA’s highly skilled and expert staff to serve all Australians.”

She starts in the role on Jan. 29 next year.

RBA last month appointed Andrew Hauser as deputy governor and as a member of the reserve bank’s board. He joined following a 30-year career at the Bank of England, where most recently he was executive director for markets.