Pier Carlo Padoan, OECD

Pier Carlo Padoan has been appointed as Chief Economist of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), replacing Jorgen Elmeskov, who has fulfilled the role of acting Chief Economist since the departure of Klaus Schmidt-Hebbel in April 2009.

Padoan (pictured) will also maintain his status of Deputy Secretary-General, which he has held since joining the OECD in June 2007.

The OECD said that Padoan, an Italian national, has been key to the development of the OECD strategic response to the economic crisis and to the organisation’s work on innovation and green growth.

“Pier Carlo Padoan’s engagement in forging a strategy to help governments steer their way through the recent crisis and develop the foundations for sustainable growth in the years ahead,” said OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría.

Prior to joining the OECD, Pier Carlo was Professor of Economics at the University La Sapienza of Rome, economic advisor to the Italian Prime Minister for international economic policies, and Director of the Fondazione Italianieuropei, a policy think-tank focusing on economic and social issues.

From 2001 to 2005, he was the Italian Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund, with responsibility for Italy, Greece, Portugal, San Marino, Albania and Timor Leste.  He served as a member of the board and chaired a number of board committees.  During his mandate at the IMF, he was also in charge of European Co-ordination.

Padoan has held various academic positions in Italian and foreign universities, including at the University of Rome, College of Europe (Bruges and Warsaw), Université Libre de Bruxelles, University of Urbino, Universidad de la Plata, and University of Tokyo.

Jorgen Elmeskov will now become Deputy Chief Economist. Elmeskov will continue to lead the Policy Studies branch of the economics department.