Prof Philip Booth Joins St Mary's as Director of Research and Public Engagement

Leading Economist Prof Philip Booth today joins St Mary’s University, Twickenham as Director of Research and Public Engagement. Prof Booth was previously Academic and Research Director at the Institute of Economic Affairs, and has been working part-time for St Mary’s as Professor of Finance, Public Policy and Ethics for 18 months. His new role at St Mary’s will see him lead the development and implementation of the University’s research strategy, develop new opportunities for St Mary’s world-class research centres and increase participation in the public square. During his time at St Mary’s he has used his considerable experience to inform, develop and contribute to the curriculum, research and knowledge transfer activities within the School of Management and Social Sciences, and the wider university community. He delivered his Inaugural Lecture entitled Regulating Markets in an Economy Without Angels in September 2016. Speaking of his appointment Prof Booth said, "I am delighted to be joining St Mary's. Leaving the Institute of Economic Affairs was a very difficult decision, but the vision of the Vice-Chancellor and his team at St Mary's is so compelling that I felt I could not turn down this new role. I look forward to playing my part in implementing that vision." Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise Rt Hon Ruth Kelly said, “I am pleased to welcome Philip to his new role leading research and public engagement at St Mary’s. Philip brings a wealth of experience to the role and I look forward to seeing St Mary’s research and public engagement output blossoming under his leadership.” Prof Booth previously was Academic and Research Director at the Institute of Economic Affairs, responsible for research programmes and playing an important part in its education work. Previously, Prof Booth was Professor of Insurance and Risk Management at the Cass Business School. Prior to that he was Associate Dean at City University Business School and has worked at the Bank of England as an adviser on Financial Stability. Prof Booth has authored 50 papers in refereed academic journals on subjects spanning pensions and social security, financial services regulation, risk management and insurance and real estate finance. He has also written widely on Catholic social teaching, including edited and co-authored books and many book chapters on that subject and is a frequent commentator in the media. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries and of the Royal Statistical Society and has previously been a Fellow of Blackfriars Hall, Oxford University.