IMF appoints Silvana Tenreyro as Chief Economist

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has appointed former Bank of England policymaker Silvana Tenreyro as its new Chief Economist and Director of the Research Department.

Tenreyro is expected to officially assume the role on August 10, 2026, succeeding Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas.

As Chief Economist, she will lead the IMF's Research Department and oversee the preparation of the Fund's flagship economic outlook reports, which are widely used by governments, investors and policymakers around the world.

The appointment, announced on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, comes at a time of growing global economic uncertainty. Georgieva said Tenreyro's experience in academia and central banking would strengthen the Fund's research and policy work.

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"I am delighted to announce that Silvana Tenreyro will join the Fund as our next Chief Economist," Georgieva said.

She described Tenreyro as a respected economist with the right combination of academic excellence and policymaking experience to help the IMF respond to emerging global economic challenges.

"Silvana is a globally respected economist who combines outstanding academic achievements with extensive policymaking experience and close engagement with leading international institutions," she said.

"At a time of profound transformation and heightened uncertainty in the global economy, Silvana's mix of intellectual leadership and policy experience will help ensure that the Fund's analytical work, multilateral surveillance and policy advice remain at the cutting edge in support of our membership," Georgieva added.

Before joining the IMF, Tenreyro served as the James E. Meade Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics, a position she held from 2004.

Her research focuses on international trade, monetary policy and macroeconomics.

She also has extensive experience in central banking, having served on the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee from 2017 to 2023.

Georgieva further praised Tenreyro's communication skills, describing them as an important asset for her new role.

"She is also known for her ability to communicate complex economic issues with clarity and precision and foster constructive dialogue across diverse audiences. These qualities will serve her well as one of the Fund's principal voices on the global economic outlook and as the leader of the Research Department," she said.

Tenreyro, who holds Argentine, British and Italian nationalities, earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the National University of Tucumán in Argentina and both a master's degree and doctorate in economics from Harvard University.

ANAS/MA

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