Ian Smyth is the current Director at THE RODILLIAN MULTI ACADEMY TRUST. Ian has also previously worked as the Head of Economic Policy at Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) from January 2019 to December 2021. As the Head of Economic Policy, they were responsible for providing cross-cutting economic and social advice to ensure policies are well-targeted, efficient and consistent with the Sustainable Development Plan (SDP). Ian was also responsible for producing all macroeconomic and revenue forecasts, and for costing and impact analyses for all tax proposals, including the island's first higher rate of income tax, a sugar tax and investment incentives.
Smyth has also been a member of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority - the conduct and prudential regulator of financial services firms in St Helena - and the Employment Rights Committee - the independent committee responsible for setting the national minimum wage. Ian has also led the implementation of the first increase in the NMW.
Ian Smyth studied economics at Birkbeck, University of London, where they completed an MSc. Ian also has a BSc in economics and finance from the University of York. Prior to their studies at university, Ian attended Ilford County High School.