The Centre for Economic Transition Expertise announces Rob Patalano as new Executive Director

The Centre for Climate Transition Expertise (CETEx), part of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science, is pleased to announce the appointment of Rob Patalano as the Centre’s new Executive Director and Professor in Practice. Joining CETEx from the Bank of England, Professor Patalano has been a Visiting Professor in Practice at the Grantham Research Institute since 2023. As CETEx Executive Director, he will set the centre’s strategic direction, chair its management committee, deepen relationships with key international stakeholders across policy institutions and international bodies, and oversee governance, staffing and funding.

Professor Patalano brings over two decades of public policy experience to the Centre. At the Bank of England, he was head of the Market Intelligence and Analysis Division and directed analytical work for the Monetary and Financial Policy Committees. Prior to this, he was head of the Financial Markets Division at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, where he led its work on sustainability and financial markets. Professor Patalano represented the OECD at the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group, the Network for Greening the Financial System, and other international fora. He also spent 15 years in senior managerial and analytical roles at the Financial Stability Board (FSB), the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the European Central Bank. He earned an MA in international economics and emerging markets from Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and an MBA in finance and strategy from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. 

CETEx was established in 2024 as a specialist research and policy centre to support the ambitious reforms required to deliver sustainable, inclusive and resilient economies and financial systems across Europe and emerging market economies. It provides independent research, policy assessment, convening and capacity-building to central banks, finance ministries, supervisors and regulators on climate transition, nature and critical minerals. 

Professor Patalano said: “I am honoured to lead CETEx and to work with its staff and the broader LSE community through the Global School of Sustainability to strengthen progress on sustainability and low-carbon transition. The work of CETEx is critical to help ensure that policy makers have the rigorous analysis, policy advice and technical capacity to implement reforms for the transition to resilient financial systems and sustainable growth. I look forward to leading the Centre’s expansion of its analytical and policy contributions to central banks, finance ministries and regulators across advanced and emerging market economies to further facilitate this transition.”

Professor Elizabeth Robinson, acting Dean of the Global School of Sustainability at LSE, said:  “I am delighted that Rob Patalano has been appointed CETEx Executive Director and Professor in Practice. His expertise and leadership will be fundamental to the strategic development of the Centre in its mission to drive ambitious reforms and catalyse positive change towards resilient and inclusive economic and financial systems. The Global School of Sustainability at LSE is pleased to be a partner in this vital work to shape a sustainable future through meaningful collaborations and private sector engagement.” 

The Rt Hon Chris Skidmore OBE, Chair of CETEx, said: “I am delighted that Rob Patalano has been appointed Executive Director after a highly competitive interview process. Rob’s experience across a wide range of international financial institutions, including the Bank of England, OECD and FSB, will ensure that he brings to CETEx leadership of the highest calibre, and the necessary expertise to deliver the ambitions of the centre. I look forward to working with Rob and his growing team on this critical mission.

 “I am confident that, at a time when we need to scale up climate finance across fiscal and monetary institutions, particularly in developing countries, CETEx can and will play a leading role in the international energy transition, building capacity and capability where it is needed. The Executive Director will provide the executive leadership to ensure our key stakeholders continue to have the independent, academically rigorous analysis and sound policy advice and guidance to implement needed reforms.” 

Dr Simon Dikau, Director (Monetary and Financial Markets) and Principal Investigator of CETEx, said: “CETEx is a leader at LSE in making research directly relevant for central banks, supervisors and finance ministries. CETEx translates analytical work on climate change into technical capacity at policy institutions. We are delighted that Rob Patalano is joining us to lead and take forward the work of the Centre and deliver on its ambitious agenda to help advance the climate transition through rigorous applied policy research, bringing in his expertise as a former senior central banker.”