Chief economists briefing
This virtual roundtable convenes expert economists to discuss the global economic outlook, focusing on the prospects for 2026. It brings together chief economists from major public and private institutions, the discussion assesses monetary policy trajectories, global fiscal prospects, inflation dynamics and geopolitical risks.
This meeting is aimed primarily at economists from both public and private sector institutions. All participants are encouraged to engage with the discussion.
Speakers
Prakash Kannan
Chief Economist and Director, Economics & Investment Strategy Department
GIC Pte
Prakash Kannan
Chief Economist and Director, Economics & Investment Strategy Department
GIC Pte
Prakash Kannan is managing director, chief economist and head of total portfolio management at GIC. He is also a member of GIC’s investment management committee and currency risk management group. He is chair of the investment committee of the Economic Society of Singapore and previously served on the advisory board of the Centre for Asset Management Research & Investments at the National University of Singapore Business School. Prior to GIC, he worked at the International Monetary Fund and Bank Negara Malaysia.
Isabelle Mateos y Lago
Chief Economist
BNP Paribas CIB
Isabelle Mateos y Lago
Chief Economist
BNP Paribas CIB
Jens Nystedt
Co-Chief Investment Officer, Emerging Markets Fixed Income Division
Kirkoswald
Jens Nystedt
Co-Chief Investment Officer, Emerging Markets Fixed Income Division
Kirkoswald
Jens Nystedt began his career in 1998 as an Economist at the International Monetary Fund, where he worked for the Research, Policy Development, Special Operations, and International Capital Markets Departments. He then joined Deutsche Bank in 2004, initially as Chief Economist for EMEA and Head of the Local Markets Strategy and subsequently held senior research positions in both the Emerging Market and Global FX Research groups. Jens then joined GLG where he was part of the Global Macro Investment team. Following GLG, Jens joined Moore Capital in 2008 where he held roles in portfolio management and global macro analysis. In 2014, Jens joined Morgan Stanley as a Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Sovereign Research. He joined Emso (now Kirkoswald) in 2017 as a Long Only Portfolio Manager. In 2023, he became Co-Chief Investment Officer of Emso and in 2025, Jens was appointed Co-Chief Investment Officer of the Emerging Markets Fixed Income Division at Kirkoswald. Jens holds a PhD in International Economics and Finance and an MSc in International Finance from the Stockholm School of Economics.
Lauren Rosborough Watt
Economics and Investment Manager
California Public Employees Retirement System
Lauren Rosborough Watt
Economics and Investment Manager
California Public Employees Retirement System
Lauren Rosborough Watt is economics and investment manager at California Public Employees Retirement System. She also managed the research side of the developed markets’ international fixed income portfolio for global fixed income and built and co-led the Investment Associate Programme. Before joining CalPERS, Watt was head of investment strategy of Australian impact investing fund, Christian Super. She was also a senior adviser for the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
James Sweeney
Head of Economics for Fundamental Fixed Income
BlackRock
James Sweeney
Head of Economics for Fundamental Fixed Income
BlackRock
James Sweeney is head of macro research and economics for fundamental fixed income at BlackRock. Prior to this, he held roles at Credit Suisse, such as chief economist, chief investment officer for the Americas, head of fixed income research and head of global fixed income strategy. He was also a member of Credit Suisse’s global investment committee, the Americas pension committee and the Americas global markets operating committee. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.