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United Kingdom Sir Howard Davies is an acclaimed economist and public official, renowned for his leadership across prominent financial institutions and academic bodies.
Sir Howard Davies served as Chairman of NatWest Group, discussing operational resilience in banking, including regulations, interest rates, monetary policy, climate risk, and economic threats. He was appointed in February 2015 and stepped down in April 2024, after nearly nine years in the role. During his tenure, he provided insights on the future of the bank and its various challenges and opportunities.
Sir Howard Davies was Chairman of the Phoenix Group from October 2012 to August 2015, prior to his appointment at NatWest Group.
Sir Howard Davies chaired the UK Airports Commission from 2012 to 2015, focusing on airport expansion in the UK.
Sir Howard Davies served as the Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science from 2003 until May 2011.
Sir Howard Davies chaired the UK Financial Services Authority from 1997 to 2003, which was the single regulator for the UK financial services sector at the time.
Sir Howard Davies was the Deputy Governor of the Bank of England from 1995 to 1997.
Sir Howard Davies served as the Director General of the Confederation of British Industry for three years prior to his role at the Bank of England.
Sir Howard Davies has been a Professor of Practice at Sciences Po in Paris since 2011, teaching courses in financial regulation and central banking.
Sir Howard Davies is a member of the Regulatory & Compliance Advisory Council of Millennium Management LLC, a New York-based hedge fund.
Sir Howard Davies has been a member of the International Advisory Council of the China Banking Regulatory Commission since 2003.
Sir Howard Davies was appointed Chairman of the International Advisory Council of the China Securities Regulatory Commission in 2012.
Sir Howard Davies chaired the Risk Committee at Prudential plc from 2010 to 2020.
Sir Howard Davies served as an independent Director of Morgan Stanley Inc. for 11 years, from 2004 to 2015.
Sir Howard Davies was a Non-Executive Director of GKN plc from 1989 to 1995.
Sir Howard Davies was a Trustee of the Tate Gallery from 2002 to 2010 and Chair from 2009 to 2010.
Sir Howard Davies was a director of the Royal National Theatre from 2011 to 2015.
Sir Howard Davies chaired the London Library from 2015 to 2023.
Sir Howard Davies is the patron of Working Families, a charity promoting family-friendly working practices.
Sir Howard Davies regularly writes for The Financial Times.
Sir Howard Davies regularly writes for Times Higher Education.
Sir Howard Davies regularly writes for Prospect.
Sir Howard Davies regularly writes for The Literary Review.
Sir Howard Davies regularly writes for Project Syndicate.
Sir Howard Davies regularly writes for Management Today.
Sir Howard Davies participated in conversations with Evan Davis at Chatham House regarding the future of RBS and its challenges and opportunities.
Sir Howard Davies is listed as a keynote speaker, offering expertise on economics, politics, and current affairs.
Howard Davies was born on February 12, 1951, in Prestbury, Cheshire, England. He received his education at Manchester Grammar School, Merton College, Oxford, and Stanford Graduate School of Business. Beginning his career in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1973, he served as Private Secretary to the British Ambassador in Paris from 1974. He then moved to the Treasury in 1976, focusing on monetary policy between 1980 and 1982. From 1982 to 1987, Davies worked at McKinsey & Company, with a secondment to the Treasury as Special Adviser to the Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1984 to 1985. His early career established a foundation in both public service and the private sector, preparing him for significant leadership roles within the UK’s financial landscape.
Davies’ career progressed with a series of influential appointments. He served as the Controller of the Audit Commission from 1987 to 1992, and then as the Director General of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) from 1992 to 1995. In 1995, he was appointed Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, a role he held for two years. A pivotal moment came in 1997 when he was named the first Executive Chairman of the Financial Services Authority (FSA), overseeing the single regulator for the UK’s financial services sector until 2003. From 2003 to 2011, he led the London School of Economics and Political Science as its Director. Post-LSE, Davies chaired the UK Airports Commission from 2012 to 2015 and then joined the Phoenix Group as Chairman from 2012 to 2015. He was appointed Chairman of NatWest Group plc (formerly RBS Group) on September 1, 2015, and stepped down on April 15, 2024.
Throughout his distinguished career, Davies has also held numerous non-executive and advisory positions. He was an independent Director of Morgan Stanley Inc. from 2004 to 2015 and chaired the Risk Committee at Prudential plc from 2010 to 2020. He has been a Professor of Practice at Sciences Po in Paris since 2011, teaching financial regulation and central banking. Davies is a member of the International Advisory Council of the China Banking Regulatory Commission since 2003 and chaired the International Advisory Council of the China Securities Regulatory Commission from 2012. His commitment to public service extends to the arts, having served as a Trustee of the Tate Gallery from 2002 to 2010 and as Chair from 2009 to 2010. He also chaired the judges for the Booker Prize in 2007. Davies is a prolific author, having published five books on financial markets, and regularly contributes to publications such as The Financial Times and Project Syndicate.
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