Book IWD Speaker: Rain Newton-Smith

Director General of the Confederation of British Industry & Former Chief Economist of CBI

Rain Newton-Smith has spent her career at the centre of economic decision-making. Her route began at Oxford, where she read Philosophy, Politics and Economics, followed by an MSc in Economics at the LSE. She joined the Bank of England in 1999 as an Economist and Research Advisor to the Monetary Policy Committee Unit. Her work involved preparing global forecasts that fed directly into interest rate decisions. It gave her an early grounding in how economic policy shapes daily life, much like when she contributed analysis that helped guide the UK through fluctuations in global oil prices.

Her international scope widened when she moved to Washington, DC, as Adviser to the UK Executive Director at the IMF. The role placed her in conversations on financial stability and cooperation between major economies. By 2008, she returned to the private sector as Head of Emerging Markets at Oxford Economics, leading research on high-growth regions and global risk. The World Economic Forum named her a Young Global Leader in 2012, recognising both her expertise and her growing influence.

Rain’s public profile rose further when she became Chief Economist at the CBI in 2014. She represented thousands of UK businesses through political and economic change, including the years surrounding major trade negotiations. Her commentary became a steady reference point for leaders who needed clarity in uncertain times. She also helped shape the UK’s contribution to B7 and B20 discussions, ensuring British business had a seat at the table during global policy conversations.

Her return to the CBI in 2023 as Chief Executive marked a significant moment. She took on the task of rebuilding trust, boosting business confidence and pushing for sustainable growth. Alongside this, she served as Managing Director for Sustainability Strategy, Policy and ESG at Barclays and continued her board work at the F&C Investment Trust. Her recent keynote at the 2025 Net Zero Finance Innovation Summit highlighted her authority on transition finance and decarbonisation.

International Women’s Day audiences now look to Rain for her clear-eyed view of the future of business and the economy. She brings a mix of economic rigour, global experience and a long-standing commitment to sustainability. Event planners value her ability to speak openly about leadership, resilience and the role of women shaping policy and industry. Her talks help organisations understand the forces influencing their world and inspire them to build fairer, more sustainable workplaces.

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