IFS director Robert Chote in the running for OBR chairman role
DIRECTOR of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) Robert Chote is a strong candidate to replace Sir Alan Budd as chairman of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).
The former journalist began his career as a reporter and columnist at The Independent before moving to the Financial Times to take up the position of economics editor.
He joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 1999 as an adviser based in Washington before being appointed to the IFS in 2002.
He rose to fame during the Labour administration, where he garnered a reputation for giving the leadership, and in particular Gordon Brown, a hard time over the economy.
Chote, who is also a member of the finance committee of the University of Cambridge, is understood to be keen to nail down the exact relationship between the government and the OBR before applying for the role.