Warwick Economics professor appointed as senior Foreign Office advisor

A Warwick Economics professor has taken up a new role in the Foreign Office as the lead economic adviser to the Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper.

Professor Dennis Novy, who has been a member of the University’s Economic department since 2006, was appointed as Chief Economist and Director of Analysis at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on 1 October.

In this prestigious role, Prof Novy will be responsible for providing economic advice to government ministers, as well as identifying rigorous data and evidence that will inform the FCDO’s policies and ensure that governmental decision-making considers international economic analysis.

Novy’s appointment reflects his extensive academic success and dedication to international macroeconomic policy. He received a PhD from the University of Cambridge and, since joining Warwick, has conducted innovative research and analysis into international trading firms.

He has also worked as the Impact Director for the Economics Department’s Centre for Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE) and, in 2011, he became a Research Fellow at the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR), emphasising his profound involvement in the field.

At this time of great change and uncertainty in the world, rigorous policy analysis and principled economic thinking are more vital than ever

Professor Dennis Novy

It is not the first time that Novy has taken up a role in a governmental institution. He previously served as a Specialist Advisor to the House of Lords between 2013 and 2014, and as a member of the UK Council of Economic Advisers at the Treasury between 2018 and 2019. Novy also gave evidence to Parliament’s Joint Committee on National Security Strategy in 2024.

When asked about his appointment to the FCDO, Professor Novy was full of praise for the relevance of work conducted at Warwick’s Economics Department to his “exciting role”.

He said: “At this time of great change and uncertainty in the world, rigorous policy analysis and principled economic thinking are more vital than ever. The Economics Department at Warwick is at the forefront of that intellectual endeavour.”

Prof Novy also noted the extent of Warwick alumni he is set to be working with, emphasising the University’s success in this field and how intrinsic its people are to the communities that shape economic policy.

Vice-Chancellor Stuart Croft also recognised the University’s importance when discussing Novy’s appointment, suggesting that this achievement is immensely symbolic of the University’s drive to “apply our outstanding research to real-world problems”.