Minouche Shafik

Minouche Shafik
Name	Minouche Shafik
Birth name	Nemat Talaat Shafik
Birth date	13 August 1962
Birth place	Alexandria, Egypt
Nationality	British, Egyptian, American
Education	University of Massachusetts Amherst (BA), London School of Economics (MSc), University of Oxford (DPhil)
Occupation	Economist, university administrator
Title	Director of the London School of Economics
Term	2017–present
Predecessor	Julia Higgins (interim)
Spouse	Luis Garicano, 1994

Minouche Shafik is a prominent economist and academic leader of Egyptian origin, known for her extensive career in international development, central banking, and higher education. She has held senior positions at the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Bank of England, and currently serves as the Director of the London School of Economics. Shafik's work has focused on global economic policy, poverty reduction, and public service, making her a significant figure in both Whitehall and global academic circles.

Early life and education

Born in Alexandria, Egypt, her family relocated to the United States when she was four years old. She completed her undergraduate studies in economics and politics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, graduating with highest honors. Shafik then pursued a Master of Science in economics at the London School of Economics before earning a Doctor of Philosophy in economics from St Antony's College, Oxford. Her doctoral research examined the political economy of public sector reform, laying the groundwork for her future work at major multilateral institutions.

Career

Shafik began her professional career as an economist at the World Bank in 1989, where she worked on projects related to infrastructure and private sector development in the Middle East and North Africa region. She rose through the ranks to become the institution's youngest-ever Vice President in 2008, overseeing its work on sustainable development. In 2011, she was appointed Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, where she managed operations in Europe and the Middle East. She later served as Deputy Governor for Markets and Banking at the Bank of England, sitting on the Monetary Policy Committee, the Financial Policy Committee, and the Prudential Regulation Committee.

Leadership at the London School of Economics

Appointed as the Director of the London School of Economics in 2017, Shafik became the first woman to permanently lead the institution. Her tenure has focused on enhancing the school's global research impact, expanding its campus in London, and increasing diversity among its student body and faculty. She has overseen significant fundraising campaigns and strategic initiatives aimed at addressing contemporary challenges like climate change, inequality, and the future of capitalism. Under her leadership, LSE has strengthened its partnerships with other leading global universities and policy institutions.

Public service and policy roles

Beyond her institutional roles, Shafik has served on numerous public bodies and advisory boards. She was a member of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact and the Commission on Global Poverty convened by the World Bank. In the United Kingdom, she has served on the Board of Trustees of the British Museum and the Council of the Institute for Fiscal Studies. She was also appointed by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to the Economic Advisory Council and has advised the European Commission on research and innovation policy.

Views and publications

Shafik is a noted author on economic development and public policy. Her book, *What We Owe Each Other: A New Social Contract*, explores the need to rebuild societal institutions to address modern economic insecurities. She has published widely in academic journals on topics including privatization, infrastructure finance, and social welfare. In public speeches and media appearances, she frequently advocates for policies that promote inclusive growth, invest in human capital, and strengthen the welfare state to cope with technological change and demographic shifts.

Personal life

Shafik is married to Spanish economist and politician Luis Garicano, a former member of the European Parliament for Ciudadanos. The couple has two children. She holds triple citizenship from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Egypt. In the 2016 New Year Honours, she was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to economics and public policy. She is a fluent speaker of Arabic, English, and French.

Category:1962 births Category:Living people Category:British economists Category:Egyptian economists Category:Directors of the London School of Economics Category:Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire Category:University of Massachusetts Amherst alumni Category:London School of Economics alumni Category:Alumni of the University of Oxford