UK names Brian Bell as government's new chief economic adviser

LONDON, Feb ​13 (Reuters) - ⁠The British government ​on Friday named Brian Bell as the new ​chief ‌economic adviser to finance minister Rachel ⁠Reeves and Prime Minister Keir ⁠Starmer for the ​macroeconomy and fiscal policy.

Bell is currently Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee and a ​Professor ‌of Economics at King’s College London.

He has previously worked at the Bank of England and ​the International Monetary Fund, as well as ‌in the private sector as an economist and proprietary trader ‌for hedge funds and investment banks in London, the Treasury said.

"This is a ​pivotal moment for the UK economy, with ‌an ambitious plan to deliver growth, reduce the cost of living and improve economic ⁠security ⁠for households and businesses ‌across the country," Bell said in a statement.

He ​replaces ​long-time civil servant Sam ‌Beckett, who had held the role since 2023. (Reporting by Sam Tabahriti Editing by William Schomberg and Kate Holton)