Jim O Neill

Jim O’Neill is a distinguished economist renowned for coining the ‘BRIC’ acronym and his extensive work in global economics, serving as a valuable voice on international economic trends for brands looking for expert insights into global markets. After coining the influential ‘BRIC’ acronym in 2001, Jim O’Neill went on to define global economic discourse through significant roles in finance, policy, and academia. While serving as the Chief Economist at Goldman Sachs from 2001 to 2010, O’Neill developed the analytical framework referring to Brazil, Russia, India, and China, highlighting their emerging economic power and significantly impacting global investment strategies. Prior to this, he served as Joint Head of Research at Goldman Sachs from 1995 to 2000.

His distinguished public service also includes his role as Commercial Secretary to the Treasury from 2015 to 2016. In recognition of his contributions, O’Neill was made a Life Peer in 2015, serving as a crossbench member in the House of Lords and contributing to legislative discussions on various policy matters. Beyond his policy roles, O’Neill maintains a strong academic presence. He holds a doctorate from the University of Surrey, where he currently serves as a visiting professor, and is also an honorary professor of economics at the University of Manchester.

His ongoing engagement in global economic discourse is evidenced by his participation in the ‘Conference on globalisation and geo-economic fragmentation’ slated for 2025 and his contribution to the podcast ‘What to expect from the BRICS expansion’ in 2023, solidifying his position as a leading authority on international economic trends.