Vicky Pryce: The Career and Contributions of a Leading British Economist
Vasiliki "Vicky" Pryce is a distinguished Greek-born British economist who has held some of the most influential economic roles in the United Kingdom. From leading government services to advising major business councils, Pryce has spent decades analyzing the intersection of monetary policy, gender equality, and public administration.
Throughout her career, Pryce has balanced high-level corporate roles with a commitment to academia and social advocacy. Her work often bridges the gap between complex economic theory and practical, real-world application, making her a prominent voice in both the public and private sectors.
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Key Facts
- Current Roles: Chief Economic Adviser and board member at the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) and senior member of the British Chambers of Commerce's Economic Advisory Council.
- Government Leadership: Former Joint Head of the UK Government Economic Service.
- Academic Affiliations: Visiting professor at King's College London and Birmingham City University.
- Education: BSc in economics and MSc in monetary economics from the London School of Economics (LSE).
- Authorship: Author of several influential books, including Women Vs Capitalism and Greekonomics.
Early Life and Education
Born Vasiliki Kourmouzi in Athens, Greece, on July 15, 1952, Pryce moved to London at the age of 17. She pursued her higher education at the London School of Economics (LSE), where she earned a Bachelor of Science in economics and a Master of Science in monetary economics, providing the academic foundation for her future career in financial analysis.
Professional Career
Corporate and Consultancy Experience
Pryce's professional trajectory began in the banking sector, serving as the chief economist at Williams & Glyn's Bank from 1973 to 1983. She later expanded her expertise into the energy and accounting sectors, working as a corporate economist for Exxon Europe (1983–1986) and as chief economist at Peat Marwick McLintock and KPMG (1986–2001). Following her tenure at KPMG, she worked with the London Economics consultancy.
Public Service and Government Leadership
In August 2002, Pryce made history as the first woman appointed as Chief Economic Adviser to the Department for Trade and Industry. Her rise within the civil service continued as she served as Deputy Head of the UK Government Economic Service from 2004 to 2007, and eventually as Joint Head from 2007 to 2010.
During her time in government, she also served as Director General of Economics at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. In recognition of her service, she was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 2009, though this honor was later annulled in 2013.
Current Advisory and Academic Roles
Today, Pryce remains active in economic policy. She is a senior member of the British Chambers of Commerce's Economic Advisory Council, which focuses on developing policies to stimulate business growth. Additionally, she serves on the advisory board of OMFIF, focusing on the global financial and monetary system.
Her academic contributions include visiting professorships at Imperial College Business School, Birmingham City University, and King's College London, as well as a visiting fellowship at Nuffield College, Oxford.
Literary Contributions and Advocacy
Pryce has authored numerous books that address systemic economic issues. Her 2019 work, Women Vs Capitalism, examines gender discrimination within free market economies. In Greekonomics (2012), she analyzed the eurozone crisis with a specific focus on her birth country, Greece.
Other notable publications include:
- How to be a Successful Economist (2022): A pragmatic guide for students entering the field.
- It's The Economy, Stupid (2015): An analysis of economic issues for UK voters.
- Why Women Need Quotas (2015): An argument for removing barriers to female professional progression.
- Redesigning Manufacturing (2015): A study on the successes and image of UK manufacturing.
- Prisonomics (2013): A reflection on the economic and human costs of women's imprisonment.
Legal Conviction
In March 2013, Vicky Pryce and her former husband, Chris Huhne, were convicted of perverting the course of justice. The charges stemmed from a 2003 incident where Pryce accepted driving license penalty points on behalf of Huhne to prevent him from being banned from driving. Both were sentenced to eight months in prison and served nine weeks.
Summary of Professional Profile
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | LSE (BSc Economics, MSc Monetary Economics) |
| Key Government Role | Joint Head, UK Government Economic Service |
| Current Primary Role | Chief Economic Adviser, CEBR |
| Notable Books | Women Vs Capitalism, Greekonomics, Prisonomics |
| Philanthropy | Patron of Pro Bono Economics and Working Chance |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vicky Pryce's current role in economics?
She is currently the Chief Economic Adviser and a board member at the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) in London, and a senior member of the British Chambers of Commerce's Economic Advisory Council.
Which government positions did Vicky Pryce hold?
Pryce was the first woman to be Chief Economic Adviser to the Department for Trade and Industry. She also served as the Joint Head of the UK Government Economic Service and Director General of Economics at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
What are the main themes of Vicky Pryce's books?
Her writing focuses on gender inequality in capitalism, the eurozone crisis (specifically Greece), the economics of the UK prison system, and practical career advice for aspiring economists.
Why was Vicky Pryce sentenced to prison?
She was convicted of perverting the course of justice for falsely claiming she was the driver in an incident to accept penalty points on behalf of her then-husband, Chris Huhne.
What academic institutions is she associated with?
Pryce has held visiting professorships or fellowships at King's College London, Birmingham City University, Imperial College Business School, and Nuffield College, Oxford.