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Richard O'Brien (economist)

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Richard O'Brien (born 19 November 1950, Banbury, Oxfordshire) is a British economist, futurist, author and co-founding partner of Outsights, an independent scenario planning consultancy based in London.[1] Since 2009 he has developed a further career as a singer songwriter.[2]

Early life and work in the world of finance

After graduating from Oxford University (MA Hons. Philosophy, Politics and Economics) and Edinburgh University (Diploma in African Studies), O'Brien worked at Rothschild Intercontinental Bank and American Express Bank for 21 years. At American Express, he was Chief Economist and Executive Director and Editor of The Amex Bank Review where he pioneered much of the new work on country risk analysis in international finance.[3] O'Brien founded and managed the international economics essay competition, The Amex Bank Review Awards, in memory of EU architect Robert Marjolin. During this time he also worked with the Group of Thirty (G30) on regulation and as a consultant for The World Bank. O'Brien also authored and edited several books on the global economy, in particular the provocative and "iconic text" "Global Financial Integration: the End of Geography", one of the most widely cited books on globalisation of its time.

Later career in future planning

In 1998 O'Brien set up Outsights, an independent scenario planning consultancy, with Tim Bolderson. Prior to this, both O'Brien and Tim headed the London office of the Global Business Network, where they completed large scale scenario planning projects such as The Future of Japan.[4] O'Brien has led and developed scenarios for business and the UK Government in a wide range of sectors, including "The Future of the International Environment 2010-2020",[5] and directing the Sigma Scan,[6] an online database of future trends to 2050. His most recent work has been in support of FUNDS, the project driving for reform of the UN development system. His article "Drivers of change for the future of the UN" appeared in the recent Routledge book "Post-2015 UN Development" edited by Stephen Browne and Thomas G Weiss.

Current music career

Since 2009, under his full name Richard Rhys O'Brien, he has been writing and publishing his songs, with his first album I know a little place published in 2012, followed in quick succession by his second album, "Anguneau sunset" in 2014 and the third album "Sense in our brains" in 2015. His songs range from songs of love to songs of contemporary life. The latest album ranges from punchy songs on migration and on data privacy to a novel treatment of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. He is joined on all three albums by his musician friends Bruce Knapp, Richard Sadler, Tony Shepherd, Callie Howard and Christine Axelle: all albums produced by Brighton-based Matthew Knapp. He has also recently released a campaign song to support the drive for creating wider choice in the selection of the next UN Secretary General, due for appointment this year.

A member of the London jazz to classical choir Eclectic Voices, Richard is currently Chair of the new community music group, Highbury Opera Theatre, now in its third major season. The second season featured the première of Scott Stroman's "As you like it", a musical of the Shakespeare play.

Publications and songs

  • "I know a little place", music album 2012
  • "Anguneau sunset", music album 2014
  • "Sense in our brains" music album 2015
  • Drivers of change for the future of the UN in Post 2015-UN Development: Making change happen?? , Browne, Stephen and Weiss, Thomas G. (2014) Routledge ISBN 978-0-415-85662-1
  • The Annual Register 300th Edition: a personal future, O'Brien, ProQuest,The 2009 Annual Register: World Events, 9-15, 2009. ISBN 978-1-60030-828-4
  • The Geography of Finance: After the Storm, O'Brien, Keith, Oxford University Press, Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Volume 2, Issue 2, July 2009. ISSN 1752-1386
  • The Future of the Global Economy, O'Brien, Keith, Prest, Outsights Ltd, 2009
  • Corporate Governance, Financial Markets and Global Convergence, Balling, Hennessy, O'Brien, Springer (1997). ISBN 978-0-7923-4825-2
  • Risk Management in Volatile Financial Markets, Bruni, Fair, O'Brien, Allen, Springer (1996). ISBN 978-0-7923-4053-9
  • Finance and the International Economy 8. The Amex Bank Review Prize Essays, O'Brien (ed), Oxford University Press, 1994. ISBN 0-19-828962-6
  • Global Financial Integration: The End of Geography, O'Brien, Council on Foreign Relations Press (1992). ISBN 978-0-87609-123-4
  • Banking Perspectives on the Debt Crisis, Oxford Review of Economic Policy, 2: 25 - 38, 1986
  • Private Bank Lending to Developing Countries: Past, Present and Future, O'Brien, World Bank Staff Working Paper No. 482, World Bank, Washington, DC, 1981

Associations

O'Brien serves and has served on a number of governing councils, and has chaired several international competitions:

References

  1. ^ "Q&A Richard O'Brien" (PDF). ERisk. January 2001. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
  2. ^ http://www.richardrhysobrien.com
  3. ^ Malkin, Lawrence (28 March 1992). "ECONOMIC SCENE - International Herald Tribune:". International Herald Tribune. Archived from the original on 24 November 2006. Retrieved 11 November 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "Views from 2020 | Economist.com". Economist.com. 19 March 1998. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
  5. ^ "ForeSight". Foresight.gov.uk. May 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
  6. ^ http://www.sigmascan.org Sigma Scan
  7. ^ "World Challenge | 2008 Finalists". Theworldchallenge.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 June 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
  8. ^ "Press release: Winners announced for the fifth Shell and the Economist writing competition - Shell Chemicals". Corterra.com. 19 November 2004. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
  9. ^ "The Society of Business Economists is the leading organisation serving business economists in the UK". Sbe.co.uk. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
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