RSM unveils new UK economist

RSM UK today announces the appointment of Thomas Pugh as its new UK economist. His arrival at the leading audit, tax and consulting firm marks another major step in its bid to become the leading voice of, and adviser to, middle market leaders globally.

This important appointment represents a key part of RSM’s growth strategy in adapting the business to meet the evolving opportunities and challenges of the years ahead.

The appointment will strengthen the firm’s analytical capabilities to address the rapidly changing needs of its clients. It also expands RSM’s ability to provide cross-border market economic analytics that are aligned to its existing capabilities in the US, led by renowned RSM US chief economist Joe Brusuelas.

Thomas, who will specialise in the UK’s Real Economy business markets, will be based out of the firm’s London Farringdon Street headquarters. He joins from Capital Economics, one of the world’s leading independent economic research companies where he specialised in analysing the UK economy and financial markets, as well as commodity markets.

Rob Donaldson, CEO of RSM UK, said: ‘We’re delighted to welcome Tom into the RSM fold at a pivotal and exciting time for the firm. Tom’s knowledge and expertise adds to our breadth of service and sector line capabilities which are among the most diverse in the UK. The appointment also reinforces our ability to monitor and respond to today’s complex and evolving market conditions in a way that gives our clients a deeper, broader, and more nuanced understanding of the factors affecting them.

Looking to the future, we want our clients to feel burnished by their association with a firm who offers a premium service beyond that which its competitors can. Tom’s appointment goes a long way towards growing this business and realising our ambition to become the voice of the middle market, globally.’

Thomas Pugh, UK economist for RSM, comments: ‘I’m really excited at the prospect of applying my economic knowledge and expertise to help RSM’s clients better forecast and plan ahead in these rapidly evolving and uncertain times.’

Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM US, added: ‘Tom’s deep understanding of economics and the UK economy will add an important dimension to our expertise on the middle market and the global economy.’

Thomas has led on economic research on all aspects of the UK economy and financial markets, including Brexit and the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. He was a key part of one of the only commodity teams to forecast a sharp fall in oil prices in 2014. He previously spent time at HM Treasury as an assistant economist.