OECD names Stefano Scarpetta as next chief economist

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has appointed Stefano Scarpetta as its next chief economist, the Paris-based organization announced. Scarpetta, who has spent the bulk of his career at the OECD, will assume the role on April 1.

Scarpetta, an Italian national, most recently led the OECD‘s Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs, a post he has held since 2013. In that role, he oversaw the organization’s jobs strategy and advised Group of Seven and Group of 20 nations on employment and social policy.

As chief economist, Scarpetta will lead the OECD Economics Department, which produces economic analysis, international benchmarking and country-specific policy advice.

“Over three decades at the OECD, Stefano has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, deep expertise in economic analysis and policy with a commitment to advancing the OECD’s mission,” Secretary-General Mathias Cormann said in a statement.

Scarpetta first joined the OECD in 1991 and was promoted to senior economist in the Economics Department in 1995. He spent four years at the World Bank from 2002 to 2006 as a labor market advisor and lead economist before returning to the OECD, where he held a series of increasingly senior positions.

He holds a doctorate in economics from the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, a master’s degree in economics from the London School of Economics and a laurea summa cum laude from the University of Rome.