In-person attendance is now fully booked – virtual registration still available
The next UK WEN Annual Networking Event “Expanding, diversifying and developing the talent pool in Economics”, hosted by the Bank of England, will take place on the morning of 26 February 2026.
The event brings together leaders in economics, with enthusiasm to drive change in their own organisations and the wider profession, and thereby promote the status of women economists.
The programme includes a keynote speech from Diane Coyle (Bennett Professor of Public Policy and Research Director, University of Cambridge) hosted by UK WEN Ambassador Almudena Sevilla (Professor of Economic and Social Policy, LSE), an update on UK WEN by our chair Misa Tanaka (Head of Research, Bank of England), and two panel discussions addressing the topics: “What can leaders do to expand the pipeline of diverse talent in economics?” and “Working together in transforming the profession”. Chaired by Clare Lombardelli (Deputy Governor for Monetary Policy, Bank of England) and Anna Leach (Chief Economist, Institute of Directors).
Panelists include Donna Leong (Director of Analysis and Chief Economist, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero), Martina Bozadzhieva (Managing Director of Macro & Investor Services, Oxford Economics), Sofia Izquierdo Sanchez (Senior Lecturer in Economics, University of Manchester), Nathanaël Benjamin (Executive Director for Financial Stability Strategy and Risk, Bank of England), Loukas Balafoutas (Professor of Economics & Head of the Economics Department, University of Exeter), Dawn Holland (Director of Economic Research, Moody’s), and Lizzy Burden (UK correspondent for Bloomberg TV and Radio).
The event programme will conclude at 12:00 and will be followed by a networking lunch 12:00 – 13:00 hosted by Clare Lombardelli (Deputy Governor for Monetary Policy, Bank of England).
Date: Thursday 26 February 2026
Time: 9:00-13:00 (registration from 8:30am)
Venue: Bank of England, Threadneedle Street, London, EC2R 8AH
8:30 – 9:00 Arrival and registration. Refreshments avaliable.
9:00 – 9:15 Welcome and opening remarks
- Clare Lombardelli, Deputy Governor for Monetary Policy, Bank of England
- Imran Rasul, Professor of Economics, UCL & RES President
9:15 – 9:25 Update on UK Women in Economics Network (UK WEN)
- Misa Tanaka, Chair of UK WEN and Head of Research, Bank of England
9:25 – 9:55 Keynote speech: “Economics is what economists do: why a diverse talent pipeline matters”
- Diane Coyle, Bennett Professor of Public Policy and Research Director, University of Cambridge and RES President Elect
- Q&A chaired by Almudena Sevilla, Professor of Economic and Social Policy, LSE and Ambassador, UK WEN
9:55 – 10:20 Coffee break
10:20 – 11:05 Panel discussion: “What can leaders do to expand the pipeline of diverse talent in economics?”
- Donna Leong, Director of Analysis and Chief Economist, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Martina Bozadzhieva, Managing Director of Macro & Investor Services, Oxford Economics
- Sofia Izquierdo Sanchez, Senior Lecturer in Economics, University of Manchester
- Chaired by Clare Lombardelli, Deputy Governor for Monetary Policy, Bank of England
11:05 – 11:50 Panel discussion: “Working together in transforming the profession”
- Nathanaël Benjamin, Executive Director for Financial Stability Strategy and Risk, Bank of England
- Loukas Balafoutas, Professor of Economics & Head of the Economics Department, University of Exeter
- Dawn Holland, Director of Economic Research, Moody’s
- Lizzy Burden, UK correspondent for Bloomberg TV and Radio
- Chaired by Anna Leach, Chief Economist, Institute of Directors
11:50 – 12:00 Closing remarks by Jo Swaffield, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Southampton, and Chair, RES Women’s Committee
12:00 – 13:00 Networking lunch hosted by Clare Lombardelli