Chief Economists Forum 2024

Dr Angela Jackson is Lead Economist at Impact Economics and Policy and has authored a number of high profile reports on health, aged care, disability, housing and gender policy. Angela started her career as an economist at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, working across tax, fiscal and social policy. As the then Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner's Deputy Chief of Staff, Angela was responsible for providing policy advice across fiscal policy and all areas of social policy, including National Health Reform.

Angela is also a part-time Commissioner at the Commonwealth Grants Commission, Chair of the Victorian National Heart Foundation Advisory Board, and National Chair of the Women in Economics Network. She was recently appointed to the interim Economic Inclusion Committee that is advising the Commonwealth Government on the adequacy of income support payments and measures to enhance economic inclusion.

Angela holds a Masters in International Health Policy (Health Economics) with Distinction from the London School of Economics and Political Science, a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from the University of Melbourne and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Tasmania. In 2021, Angela was awarded her PhD on the Economics of Disability in Australia from Monash University.

Angela has published articles in peer reviewed journals and major Australian newspapers, and regularly appears in the national media providing economic commentary.

Chris Paton is a Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Officer for La Trobe Financial.  He oversees the Group's asset management operations, including the La Trobe Australian Credit Fund.

Chris joined La Trobe Financial in 2017, initially serving as the Group's General Counsel prior to transitioning into an operational role and leading up the Asset Management Division.

Prior to joining La Trobe Financial, Chris worked as a Senior Associate at Piper Alderman lawyers specialising in the banking and finance sector, advising a number of leading banks and financial institutions.

Chris has a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Distinction) from Deakin University.

Chris is Company Secretary for the La Trobe Financial Group, a member of the Executive Committee and Asset & Liability Committee, and the Deputy Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee.

Nicki Hutley is a highly experienced economist, with broad-based expertise in both macroeconomics and microeconomic policy, gained over more than three decades in financial and investment markets and in economic consulting.

After many years in the corporate world, including most recently as a partner with Deloitte Access Economics, Nicki is now an independent economist, advising governments, business and not-for-profits on a wide range of policy issues, but with a focus on social and environmental impact. She is also a Councillor on the Climate Council.

Nicki is passionate about gender equity issues and is an advisory board member for the Financy Women's Index, which reports on economic progress indicators for women, and the Financy Impacter™, which helps companies understand their impact and progress.

Other consulting roles include Chief Economic Adviser to the Customer-owned banking Association and a member of the JANA Investments Sustainability Advisory Committee.

Nicki holds an Honours degree in Economics. In 2021, she was elected President of the NSW Branch of the Economics Society of Australia. She is also a Committee member of the Australian Business Economists.

Nicki is a frequent commentator in the media and is a regular guest on The Drum and The Project.