ExpertGate Talks with Saul Eslake – Decades of Economic Insight, Policy Influence, and Social Commitment

We interviewed Saul Eslake, Australian economist with over four decades of experience in the field as part of the ExpertGate interview series. He highlighted his career inspirations, his perspectives on current economic trends, and his motivations for joining the ExpertGate platform. 

45 Years of Economic Wisdom: A Career Spanning Public and Private Sectors

Saul Eslake’s career in economics started in 1979, marking an impressive 45 years dedicated to understanding and analyzing economic landscapes. Reflecting on his extensive journey, Saul expressed, “I’ve been a professional Economist for 45 years. When I wrote that for the profile on ExpertGate it kind of gave me pause for thought that that’s a very big number.”  His journey began in the Australian Treasury, providing him with a foundational understanding of macroeconomic policy formulation and implementation.

This initial experience in the public sector was followed by a significant transition into the private sector, where he held prominent roles as Chief Economist for several leading financial institutions. These included McIntosh Securities, the funds management arm of National Mutual Life, ANZ Banking Group, and the Australian and New Zealand branch of Bank of America Merrill Lynch. These roles allo wed him to provide his expert analysis and commentary on macroeconomic trends and financial markets for over 25 years.

Beyond his extensive work in financial markets, Mr. Eslake has also contributed significantly to public policy discourse. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Commission of Audit, undertaking an inquiry into the state’s public finances.  His involvement extended to the Grattan Institute, a non-aligned public policy think tank, where he directed the Productivity Growth Program.

His decision to join ExpertGate reflects a desire to broaden the reach of his consulting, extending beyond Australia to potential clients in the Asia Pacific region and globally.

Areas of Expertise and Client Focus

During the interview, Mr. Eslake elaborated on the types of clients he typically works with and the areas where his expertise proves most valuable. He mentioned engaging with companies of varying sizes, boards of directors, senior executives, industry organizations, professional associations, and government departments and agencies.

His clientele also includes individuals with a keen interest in broad macroeconomic developments affecting Australia, New Zealand, and the global economy. A significant portion of his work involves analyzing regional economies, with a particular emphasis on the Asian region. China has been a consistent focus, given its significant impact on the global economy.

He also expressed a long-standing interest in Southeast Asian economies, especially Indonesia, recognizing its close distance and importance to Australia. “It would be no surprise to anyone to learn that China has been a particular focus, but I’ve also taken an interest over a long period of time in Southeast Asian economies and in particular Indonesia which is Australia’s nearest neighbor” Mr. Saul added.

Furthermore, Mr. Eslake is providing economy consulting service based on individual Australian states, including his home state of Tasmania, as well as Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia. In terms of industry expertise, Mr. Eslake highlighted his experience in sectors such as agriculture, mining, and energy policy.

This broad spectrum of expertise positions him as a valuable resource for clients seeking insights across various economic domains. He emphasizes his ability to tailor presentations and reports to address the specific interests and needs of his clients, aiming to provide value and support their objectives.

Social Impact and the Role of Education

The interview also touched upon the social impact of economic policy and Mr. Eslake’s perspective on contributing to society through his work on ExpertGate. He has a history of undertaking pro bono work for organizations he thinks worthwhile and offering his services to charitable associations and community groups at reduced rates.

He expressed his alignment with ExpertGate’s mission of donating 50% of its profits to furthering education in underprivileged communities, particularly in developing countries.

Mr. Eslake stated a strong belief in the transformative power of education for economic development and sustainability, particularly for nations without abundant natural resources, stating, “If you look at the course of economic history over say the last 150 years, it’s pretty clear that education is a major enabler of economic growth and development for countries that don’t have large endowments of Natural Resources.” 

In such contexts, the skills and knowledge of the population become their primary asset in the global landscape. Even in resource-rich nations, education plays a vital role in ensuring that the benefits of such endowments are distributed equitably across the population, preventing the concentration of wealth within a narrow elite, which can lead to social instability.

He views his participation in ExpertGate as an opportunity to indirectly contribute to this cause by supporting an organization that prioritizes education as a means of fostering positive social change.

The collaboration for changing the world

The interview with Saul Eslake provides valuable insights into the global economy, social contribution, career path and the role of education. His commitment to social impact, particularly through the support of education, aligns well with ExpertGate’s mission. 

He is currently available for Economy Consulting Services as well as Research Projects, Keynote Speaking Engagements, Media Interviews, External HDR Supervision, HDR Examiner on ExpertGate: https://expertgate.org/expert/profile/100256

Learn from his deep understanding of macroeconomics, fiscal policy, housing markets, and more.

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