Blair economic adviser quits
The British Prime Minister’s senior economic adviser has quit his post to take a job with accountancy group KPMG.
Derek Scott, 56, left Downing Street this week to become an economic consultant with the auditing and tax specialist, a Government spokesman confirmed today. Downing Street has not yet appointed a replacement for Mr Scott, the spokesman added.
Mr Scott will advise KPMG mainly on international issues on a part-time basis, reporting to KPMG International’s chairman Mike Rake.
Mr Scott has been Tony Blair’s economic adviser since 1997 and has a history of working for senior Labour politicians.
Between 1976-79, he was special adviser to former chancellor Denis Healey at the Treasury and subsequently for former premier Jim Callaghan when he was Leader of the Opposition.
Prior to 1997, Mr Scott combined working with Mr Blair with the post of director of European economics at BZW.
Before that, he was chief economist at oil group Shell (UK), and international policy adviser for Shell International.
Mr Scott said: “I’m delighted to have this opportunity to advise Mike Rake and KPMG – and look forward to helping KPMG build on the leadership position it has globally.”
Mr Rake said: “Derek Scott has a first-class record as an international economist, and will be a valuable addition to our international capability.”
KPMG in the UK, based at Salisbury Square in London, is part of a strong global organisation with 9,500 partners and staff working in 22 offices across the UK.
With nearly 100,000 people worldwide, KPMG member firms provide audit, tax and advisory services from more than 750 cities in 148 countries.
