Quick Facts
AriesBiography
Jonathan Portes (born 18 April 1966) is Professor of Economics and Public Policy at King's College, London.
Early life and education
Portes is the son of Richard Portes. He earned a degree in mathematics from Balliol College, Oxford, and a master's degree in Public Affairs (Economics and Public Policy) at Princeton University.
Career
After joining HM Treasury in 1987, he held various positions in the civil service. He was Chief Economist at the Department for Work and Pensions, and Chief Economist at the Cabinet Office until 2009, before becoming the director of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) in February 2011.
His main areas of interest include fiscal policy, labor markets and immigration.
In October 2015, it was announced that Portes would step down as Director of NIESR before the end of that year following a management review at the organisation. The decision had been reached by mutual consent.
Portes is also a council member of the Royal Economic Society, and a trustee of the charity Coram.