Philippe Legrain

Philippe Legrain is a political economist and international thought leader specialising in globalisation, migration, and European economic policy. A former economic adviser to the President of the European Commission and special adviser to the WTO director-general, he also served as trade and economics correspondent for The Economist and founded the international think tank Open Political Economy Network. Currently a Visiting Senior Fellow at the LSE's European Institute and prolific commentator for Project Syndicate, the Financial Times, and the Guardian, Philippe equips audiences with sharp, evidence-based insights into the political and economic forces reshaping Europe and the global economy, empowering leaders to navigate complexity with confidence and clarity.

During three pivotal years at the heart of European policymaking, Philippe Legrain served as economic adviser to the President of the European Commission, leading the team responsible for providing strategic counsel to President Barroso through the Bureau of European Policy Advisers. This role placed him at the centre of critical decisions shaping Europe's economic future during a period of profound challenge and transformation. His influence extended well beyond Brussels: he previously guided global trade policy as special adviser to World Trade Organisation director-general Mike Moore and spent three years as trade and economics correspondent for The Economist, covering the forces reshaping the international economy. With a first-class degree in economics and a master's in politics of the world economy from the LSE, his academic foundation underpins decades of applied expertise across institutions, governments, and global organisations.

Philippe's work spans the interconnected challenges of globalisation, migration, and European integration. As chief economist and later director of policy at Britain in Europe, he shaped public debate on European engagement during a formative period for British policy. His intellectual contributions continue through his role as founder of the international think tank Open Political Economy Network and as Visiting Senior Fellow at the LSE's European Institute, where he examines the political and economic forces redefining Europe's place in the world. He is the author of Them and Us: How Immigrants and Locals Can Thrive Together, published by Oneworld in 2020, which offers evidence-based analysis of one of the most contested issues in contemporary politics. His commentary reaches global audiences through regular contributions to Project Syndicate, the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Guardian, and The Times, alongside frequent appearances on BBC, Sky, and international broadcast media.

Philippe equips audiences with clear, rigorous analysis of the economic and political shifts reshaping nations and markets. Whether addressing business leaders navigating uncertainty, policymakers seeking practical solutions, or organisations preparing for geopolitical change, he translates complexity into actionable understanding. His insights into Europe's economic trajectory, the consequences of protectionism, and the realities of migration policy enable leaders to make informed decisions grounded in evidence rather than rhetoric. Audiences leave his sessions with a sharper grasp of the forces driving change, the confidence to challenge prevailing assumptions, and the strategic clarity needed to respond effectively to an evolving global landscape.