Daiwa hires European Central Bank economist

Daiwa Capital Markets has hired a former European Central Bank (ECB) economist as part of its strategy to strengthen its global research offerings.

Tobias Blattner joins Daiwa as European economist, based in London, reporting directly to Chris Scicluna, deputy head of economic research.

Blattner will be responsible for analysing and forecasting euro area economies and financial markets, as well as assessing euro area imbalances, vulnerabilities and competitiveness developments. He will also provide input to the assessment of the economic situation in, and the outlook for, other major economies.

Prior to joining Daiwa, Blattner spent more than seven years at the ECB in Frankfurt, where he served as an economist in the Monetary Policy Strategy Division, advising on issues related to the implementation and effectiveness of the ECB’s monetary policy strategy. He previously briefed on developments in foreign exchange markets as well as international trade and capital flows. He holds a Masters degree in Economics from the Free University Berlin.

Grant Lewis, managing director and head of economic research Europe, commented: “Tobias’ arrival marks another step in the upgrading of Daiwa’s Research function as it seeks to build on its global reputation for research excellence. His in-depth knowledge of the European policy-making process will significantly enhance Daiwa’s analysis of the euro area economy at a time when the economic and monetary policy outlook, as well as events at the periphery, is attracting ever-greater investor interest.”