David Smith (journalist and author)


David Henry Smith is a British journalist and author, specialising in economics. He has been economics editor of The Sunday Times since 1989, where he writes a weekly column. He is also an assistant editor and policy adviser. He is a visiting professor at the University of Wales where he delivered his first lecture in 2007.

Early life

Smith was born in the West Midlands, and grew up in West Bromwich. He was introduced to economics while at West Bromwich Grammar School. He then studied further at Cardiff University, Oxford University and London.

Career

Smith started as an economic report writer for Lloyds Bank, before moving to a forecasting role at the Henley Centre. He then became an economics/business writer for Now! magazine, economics/deputy editor for Financial Weekly before moving to News International and becoming economics correspondent of The Times in 1984. In 1989, he moved to sister publication The Sunday Times as economics editor and has since expanded his role to be a policy advisor and assistant editor. He also runs his own website - EconomicsUK.com - delivering economic commentary in blog style. Smith is also a regular speaker at business and academic events.

Awards