James Richardson has been Chief Economist at the National Infrastructure Commission since April 2016. The NIC is an independent body, providing expert advice to the Government on long-term infrastructure strategy. James heads the NIC secretariat’s economics team and led on production of the UK’s first ever National Infrastructure Assessment, an in-depth assessment of the UK’s major infrastructure needs on a 30-year time horizon.

Prior to this, James was Director, Fiscal and Deputy Chief Economic Adviser at HM Treasury from July 2012 to March 2016 and Director, Public Spending and Chief Microeconomist at HM Treasury from September 2008 to July 2012.

James sits on the Ofgem RIIO2 Challenge Group and was formerly a member of the Economic and Social Research Council.

James has a PhD in economics from the London School of Economics (LSE).