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. James also led the Commission’s study on engineered greenhouse gas removals, published in July 2021. He is currently leading net zero related work for the Commission’s second National Infrastructure Assessment, due to be published Autumn 2023.
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.
