BDO names inaugural chief economist

Tony Schiffman, BDO chief executive partner, said the chief economist would play a pivotal role in guiding the firm and clients through “major transitions shaping Australia’s future”, from climate and sustainability to emerging technologies and geopolitical shifts.

“The economic environment is the number one issue keeping our clients up at night. This appointment ensures BDO is well positioned to offer calm, deliberate and actionable insight on the structural shifts shaping Australia’s next decade,” he said.

Stepping into the role, Magnusson was noted to be experienced within the field of economics, having been in the lead economics partner position since 2022 and holding a bachelor of economics from the University of Adelaide as well as a master of health from the University of Canberra.

Magnusson said he was looking forward to stepping into the new role and providing a human-centred approach to economic storytelling to help guide leaders in the private and public sectors.

“It’s an honour to be appointed as the inaugural chief economist for BDO. I am relishing the opportunity to make sense of economic trends for our clients and identify the risks and opportunities that really matter,” he said.

“An evolving geopolitical landscape coupled with business disruptors such as AI and the energy transition will mean clients will need incisive analysis and modelling, and I look forward to guiding leaders through this period of transformation.”