Old Mutual Investment Group Chief Economist clinches Economist of the Year award

Rian le Roux, Old Mutual Investment Group Chief Economist.

Old Mutual Investment Group Chief Economist, Rian le Roux, has been chosen as Sake24’s Economist of the Year, it was announced at the awards ceremony last night. Chosen from a group of 36 economists, the accolade recognises participating economists who make a valuable contribution by providing economic forecasts to businesses and people who cannot afford their own economic research.

Now in its 27th year, the competition is one of the oldest and most prestigious economic events in the financial calendar and past winners include some of the most distinguished names in South African economic circles. Participants are asked to do monthly forecasts on 14 economic variables, including economic growth, value of the rand, inflation, interest rates and the current account deficit.

The forecasts are then used to calculate a consensus forecast which is then published monthly in Sake24. The ultimate annual winner is the economist whose forecasts are consistently closest to the actual figures in the SA Reserve Bank’s (SARB) quarterly report.

Le Roux expressed his pride at receiving the award: “It’s a huge honour to be recognised by this award, having worked with the organisers for many years. I feel an immense sense of achievement when considering the economic service the competition provides to small businesses and individuals, who would not usually be able to afford such a service, giving them an economic overview to use to adjust their planning,” he explains.

As Chief Economist, Le Roux is responsible for macroeconomic research at Old Mutual Investment Group. The aim of his research is to provide insight and forecasts of how macroeconomic developments may impact financial markets. After graduating, Le Roux spent three years with the South African Reserve Bank before joining Old Mutual as an economist.

This is the second time that the award has gone to an expert from Old Mutual, following the 1992 honour going to Dave Mohr, then Old Mutual Chief Economist, and now Chief Investment Strategist at Old Mutual Wealth.