Diane Coyle
Encyclopedia
Diane Coyle, OBE
(born February 1961), is a freelance economist, and a former advisor to the UK Treasury. She is a member of the UK Competition Commission
and Vice Chairman of the BBC Trust
, the governing body of the British Broadcasting Corporation.
, Lancashire
and attended a grammar school
, where a teacher engaged her "very sceptical and mathematical" mind with the logical way of thinking required in economics. She did her undergraduate studies at Brasenose College, Oxford
reading philosophy, politics, and economics
, before gaining an MA and a PhD in Economics from Harvard University
, graduating in 1985.
between 1993 and 2001 and economics editor of The Independent
.
She has since written a series of books focused on both educating people about, as well as different aspects of economics. Coyle is Managing Director of Enlightenment Economics, an economic consultancy to large corporate clients and international organisations, specialising in new technologies and globalisation. Coyle is visiting Professor at the University of Manchester
's Institute for Political and Economic Governance. She is employed by EDF Energy
on its stakeholder advisory panel, with her BBC Trust colleague Chris Patten
also on the panel. Coyle is also a member of the UK Border Agency's Migration Advisory Committee.
Coyle is: a former member of the UK's Competition Commission
;, member of the Royal Economic Society
and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts
. Coyle was previously a presenter on BBC Radio 4
and has been a member of the BBC Trust
since November 2006. On 7 April 2011 the Queen approved Coyle's appointment as the Vice Chairman of the BBC Trust
, the governing body of the British Broadcasting Corporation.
Coyle praises the news coverage of the BBC, saying "I’ve always valued the BBC, not least as the best provider of news coverage in the world. Its impartiality and comprehensive coverage underpin its vital civic role." However in 2009 she was critical of the BBC's programming, stating "Viewers are becoming increasingly cynical and disappointed by the programmes offered by the BBC and the UK’s other main TV channels." "Among the negative comments there are complaints about a lack of variety, too much soap or costume drama…disappointment about old series being brought back and a degree of cynicism over ‘rehashing’ and ripping off old ideas".
Coyle was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours for services to economics.
stated that Coyle's appointment to the BBC Trust had been "an inappropriate choice". Coyle's political allegiances were reported as "unknown" by The Guardian
.
' Technology Correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones
. They have one son and live in West Ealing
, London
.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born February 1961), is a freelance economist, and a former advisor to the UK Treasury. She is a member of the UK Competition Commission
Competition Commission
The Competition Commission is a non-departmental public body responsible for investigating mergers, markets and other enquiries related to regulated industries under competition law in the United Kingdom...
and Vice Chairman of the BBC Trust
BBC Trust
The BBC Trust is the governing body of the British Broadcasting Corporation. It is operationally independent of BBC management and external bodies, and aims to act in the best interests of licence fee payers....
, the governing body of the British Broadcasting Corporation.
Early life
Coyle was born in BuryBury
Bury is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on the River Irwell, east of Bolton, west-southwest of Rochdale, and north-northwest of the city of Manchester...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
and attended a grammar school
Grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
, where a teacher engaged her "very sceptical and mathematical" mind with the logical way of thinking required in economics. She did her undergraduate studies at Brasenose College, Oxford
Brasenose College, Oxford
Brasenose College, originally Brazen Nose College , is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. As of 2006, it has an estimated financial endowment of £98m...
reading philosophy, politics, and economics
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
Philosophy, politics, and economics is a popular interdisciplinary undergraduate/graduate degree which combines study from the three disciplines...
, before gaining an MA and a PhD in Economics from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, graduating in 1985.
Career
Coyle was an economist at the UK Treasury from 1985 to 1986, and later became the European Editor of Investors ChronicleInvestors Chronicle
The Investors Chronicle is a weekly magazine in the United Kingdom for private investors and is published by the Financial Times Group. The magazine publishes articles about global markets and sectors, and news on corporate actions such as takeovers and share issues...
between 1993 and 2001 and economics editor of The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
.
She has since written a series of books focused on both educating people about, as well as different aspects of economics. Coyle is Managing Director of Enlightenment Economics, an economic consultancy to large corporate clients and international organisations, specialising in new technologies and globalisation. Coyle is visiting Professor at the University of Manchester
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, United Kingdom. It is a "red brick" university and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive British universities and the N8 Group...
's Institute for Political and Economic Governance. She is employed by EDF Energy
EDF Energy
EDF Energy is an integrated energy company in the United Kingdom, with operations spanning electricity generation and the sale of gas and electricity to homes and businesses throughout the United Kingdom...
on its stakeholder advisory panel, with her BBC Trust colleague Chris Patten
Chris Patten
Christopher Francis Patten, Baron Patten of Barnes, CH, PC , is the last Governor of British Hong Kong, a former British Conservative politician, and the current chairman of the BBC Trust....
also on the panel. Coyle is also a member of the UK Border Agency's Migration Advisory Committee.
Coyle is: a former member of the UK's Competition Commission
Competition Commission
The Competition Commission is a non-departmental public body responsible for investigating mergers, markets and other enquiries related to regulated industries under competition law in the United Kingdom...
;, member of the Royal Economic Society
Royal Economic Society
The Royal Economic Society is incorporated by a Royal Charter dated 2 December 1902. It is one of the oldest economic associations in the world. Currently it has over 3,300 individual members, of whom 60% live outside the United Kingdom...
and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts
Royal Society of Arts
The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce is a British multi-disciplinary institution, based in London. The name Royal Society of Arts is frequently used for brevity...
. Coyle was previously a presenter on BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
and has been a member of the BBC Trust
BBC Trust
The BBC Trust is the governing body of the British Broadcasting Corporation. It is operationally independent of BBC management and external bodies, and aims to act in the best interests of licence fee payers....
since November 2006. On 7 April 2011 the Queen approved Coyle's appointment as the Vice Chairman of the BBC Trust
BBC Trust
The BBC Trust is the governing body of the British Broadcasting Corporation. It is operationally independent of BBC management and external bodies, and aims to act in the best interests of licence fee payers....
, the governing body of the British Broadcasting Corporation.
Coyle praises the news coverage of the BBC, saying "I’ve always valued the BBC, not least as the best provider of news coverage in the world. Its impartiality and comprehensive coverage underpin its vital civic role." However in 2009 she was critical of the BBC's programming, stating "Viewers are becoming increasingly cynical and disappointed by the programmes offered by the BBC and the UK’s other main TV channels." "Among the negative comments there are complaints about a lack of variety, too much soap or costume drama…disappointment about old series being brought back and a degree of cynicism over ‘rehashing’ and ripping off old ideas".
Coyle was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours for services to economics.
Political aide controversy
In February 2011 Coyle accepted an invitation to advise Labour's then shadow Business Secretary John Denham. BBC Trust Head of Governance Phil Harrold, suggested "this could potentially be a significant partisan political activity", before concluding that it was not, as the unpaid and non-party political role involved offering independent expert advice on competition policy. Conservative MP Philip DaviesPhilip Davies
Philip Andrew Davies is a British Conservative Party politician. He is the Member of Parliament for Shipley in West Yorkshire.-Early life:...
stated that Coyle's appointment to the BBC Trust had been "an inappropriate choice". Coyle's political allegiances were reported as "unknown" by The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
.
Personal life
She is married to BBC NewsBBC News
BBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...
' Technology Correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones
Rory Cellan-Jones
Nicholas Rory Cellan-Jones is a British journalist for BBC News, specializing in economics and technology. His brother is television director Simon Cellan-Jones.-Education:...
. They have one son and live in West Ealing
West Ealing
West Ealing is a place in the London Borough of Ealing in west London.-History:West Ealing in its present form is less than 100 years old....
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Published works
- The Weightless World The MIT Press, 1997 ISBN 978-0262531665
- Governing the World Economy Polity, 2000 ISBN 978-0745623634
- Paradoxes of Prosperity: Why the New Capitalism Benefits All Texere, 2001 ISBN 978-1587991455
- Sex, Drugs and Economics: An Unconventional Introduction to Economics Texere, 2002 ISBN 978-1587991479
- The Soulful Science: what economists really do and why it matters Princeton University Press, 2007 ISBN 978-0691143163
- The Economics of Enough: How to run the economy as if the future matters Princeton University Press, 2011 ISBN 978-0691145181
External links
- EnlightenmentEconomics.com, Diane Coyle's own website includes list of books and major articles/publications
- BBC Trust biography
- Competition Commission biography
- Biography at LSE's economics department
- Interview at 3am magazine
- Diane Coyle articles at Prospect magazine
- Diane Coyle lecture to the Friends of the EarthFriends of the EarthFriends of the Earth International is an international network of environmental organizations in 76 countries.FOEI is assisted by a small secretariat which provides support for the network and its agreed major campaigns...
- September 2006 podcast interview re mobile phones in Africa