ESMOND Birnie, who has been PwC’s chief economist in Northern Ireland since 2010, is to join Ulster University as senior economist.
A graduate of Gonville and Caius College in Cambridge, he completed his PhD in Economics at Queen's University Belfast where he became a lecturer.
He was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 1998, serving as an Ulster Unionist MLA until 2007, when he joined the Department for Employment and Learning as a special adviser.
While with PwC, Dr Birnie authored a number of publications on topics ranging from productivity and employment to corporation tax and fiscal policy.
PwC regional chairman Paul Terrington said Esmond would be missed, both as a colleague and as a leading commentator on the local economy.
He said: “Esmond was one of the UK’s most recognised and quoted economic commentators and he has helped widen both the understanding of economics and the debate around Northern Ireland’s economic performance and prospects.
“His view have been regularly sought by both the UK and Irish governments and by the private and third sectors.
“We all wish him well as he joins Ulster University and their Economic Policy Centre.”
Professor Neil Gibson, director of the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Esmond to Ulster University, where both the students and the Economic Policy Centre will benefit from his knowledge and experience.
“We already enjoy a close relationship with PwC on a number of fronts and, with Esmond’s help, look forward to maintaining and expanding that association.
“Esmond has made a great contribution to the debate around rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy and I’m confident that his experience and expertise will continue to influence public policy.”
