Helen Miller appointed as new Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies

Helen will succeed current IFS Director Paul Johnson, who will leave in July 2025 after 14 years of outstanding leadership.  

Helen joined the IFS in 2007. She has been Head of the Tax team since 2016 and Deputy Director since 2019. She has over 17 years of experience analysing UK fiscal policy and providing trusted advice to policymakers. She is an excellent and experienced media commentator. She has served as a trustee to the Royal Economic Society.

Helen takes on this role at an exciting time for the IFS as we push ahead with timely and rigorous research into areas such as inequalities, justice, benefits, education, pensions and tax policy. She will work closely with IFS Research Director Imran Rasul and IFS Deputy and Associate Directors to drive an ambitious and impactful research and engagement agenda.  

Harry Gaskell, Chair of the IFS Board of Trustees, said:

"The job of Director of the IFS is one of the most sought-after in the UK public policy arena. We had a wide range of very talented applicants, and I am delighted that it is Helen who has emerged from this strong field as the new Director of the IFS. The Board and I believe that she is the ideal person to build on the strengths of the IFS and to make sure it keeps its pre-eminent role at the heart of UK economic research and policy making. I’m very much looking forward to working with Helen over the next few years.”

Imran Rasul, IFS Research Director, said:

“I am delighted that Helen will be stepping into the role of IFS Director. She brings many years of experience on studying issues around the tax system, firm productivity, and entrepreneurship – key components of UK economic policy that the country needs to get right in the years ahead. Helen will bring her own ideas and energy to our research agenda, ensuring it remains of the highest quality and translates into engagement with policy makers. She is committed to take further our long-standing work on building capacity among a new generation of research economists focused on scrutinising and designing public policy in the UK and overseas. I am very much looking forward to working closely with Helen in the years ahead – IFS could not have a better leader, ensuring our trusted and independent advice continues to hold value in the years ahead.”

Paul Johnson, IFS Director, said:

“I am delighted that Helen will be taking over as director. She is a wonderful colleague and an inspiring leader. She will bring energy, insight and a deep commitment to the IFS mission and culture to the role. I am sure the IFS will only go from strength to strength under her leadership, continuing to produce analysis of the highest quality, to hold government to account and, perhaps most importantly, to develop new generations of great economists, communicators, and leaders”.

Helen Miller, IFS Deputy Director and incoming Director, said  

“It is a huge privilege and a delight to be handed the IFS Director baton. The IFS is full of inspirational people who are working to ensure that policymakers, and those who hold them accountable, better understand the effects of different economic policy choices.  This mission – and the need for truly independent and rigorous analysis – is as important as ever. I am excited to lead the IFS through the next phase of its enormously valuable and impactful work.”