PBE trustee, Dave Ramsden CBE, was awarded a knighthood for services to economic policy making in the New Years honours list. Dave is Director General and Chief Economic Adviser to HM Treasury, and leads the Government Economic Service (GES). He has been involved with Pro Bono Economics since the very beginning and was instrumental in securing the support of the GES, encouraging government economists to volunteer to use their skills and expertise to help charities.

PBE co-founder Martin Brookes said "Dave joined the PBE board very early on and has played a vital role ever since. Andy Haldane and I could not have got PBE started without his help. His enthusiasm for the idea of economists volunteering together with his efforts to get the Government Economic Service to support the idea were instrumental. We are pleased he has received a knighthood and congratulate him on this achievement."

Economist volunteers from across government have completed 18 of PBE's 50 projects for charities to date, most recently for Family Action, the Mo Farah Foundation and National Numeracy.

Sue Holloway, our Director said "we have a large and growing number of volunteer economists helping charities understand more about their impact. These services, including an important contribution from the Government Economics Service, are hugely valued. Sir Dave has been key in promoting PBE within the GES, and in the profession more widely, and I am delighted that he has been recognised for his services to economics."

15th January 2015