Paul Johnson is one of the UK’s leading economists and economics commentators. Having worked in economic research, in consultancy and in government he became director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies in 2011, serving for nearly 15 years. In that role he helped cement the IFS’s place as the UK’s... Read more
Separating election fact from fiction: Paul Johnson, Institute for Fiscal Studies
Paul Johnson director of Institute for Fiscal Studies on the financial impact of COVID-19
Introduction to IFS public economics day, Paul Johnson, Institute for Fiscal Studies
Paul Johnson is one of the UK’s leading economists and economics commentators. Having worked in economic research, in consultancy and in government he became director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies in 2011, serving for nearly 15 years. In that role he helped cement the IFS’s place as the UK’s go-to organisation for high quality independent analysis in economics and public policy.
Having moved to be Provost of The Queen’s College Oxford in summer 2025 Paul continues to work, write and speak on economics and public policy. He is a columnist for The Times, a regular contributor to other broadcast and print media and author of the bestselling book Follow the Money: How Much Does Britain Cost?
Paul’s expertise spans the UK economy and public finances, tax, pensions, education, health, climate change, and other areas of economics and policy. He has presented numerous programmes for BBC Radio 4, has hosted the popular podcasts The IFS zooms in and The Expert Factor, and is a regular guest on news and current affairs programmes including Any Questions and Question Time. As a former director of public spending and HM Treasury, chief economist at the Department for Education and deputy head of the Government Economic Service he brings practical experience of government and politics to his analysis of economic policy.
Paul Johnson was, for a decade, a member of the Climate Change Committee. He has served on the council of the Royal Economic Society and of the Economic and Social Research Council, as well as on numerous commissions for government and others, covering issues such as auto enrolment, inflation, devolution, tax, inequality, health, education and crime.
Paul has received numerous awards and honours, including a CBE for contributions to economics and the social sciences, visiting professorships at University College London and the University of York, and honorary doctorates from UCL, York, Sussex and Exeter. He is also an honorary fellow of the Faculty and Institute of Actuaries and of the Chartered Institute of Taxation.
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Paul Johnson CBE's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Paul tailored to your event.
Paul Johnson CBE speaks on Cities & Environment, Economics, Economics & Finance, Financial, Sustainability. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Paul to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Paul Johnson CBE for events worldwide, subject to Paul's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Paul Johnson CBE is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
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Paul Johnson CBE delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Paul Johnson CBE's areas of expertise include Cities & Environment, Economics, Economics & Finance, Financial, Sustainability. To get a clear sense of Paul's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Paul Johnson CBE can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Cities & Environment, Economics, Economics & Finance, Financial, Sustainability is relevant. Details of Paul's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
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We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Paul Johnson CBE, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Paul's current availability for your dates.