One of Australia’s most trusted economic commentators, Saul Eslake is renowned for his talent in making complex economics accessible and actionable for any audience. Saul is an invaluable resource in navigating today’s economic cross-currents. He brings over 40 years of experience across government, financial markets, and think tanks, providing trusted guidance to investors, businesses, governments, and organisations.

A highly sought-after public speaker, Saul Eslake delivers compelling presentations on economic trends, financial markets, taxation, housing policy, and productivity growth. Described as Australia’s “chief number-cruncher”, with a rare knack for explaining economics in terms mere mortals can understand, making Saul an in-demand speaker, media guest, and corporate advisor.

Saul Eslake worked as an economist in the Australian financial markets for more than 25 years, including as Chief Economist at McIntosh Securities (a stockbroking firm) in the late 1980s, Chief Economist (International) at National Mutual Funds Management in the early 1990s, as Chief Economist at the Australia & New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) from 1995 to 2009, and as Chief Economist (Australia & New Zealand) for Bank of America Merrill Lynch from 2011 until June 2015. In between these last two positions he was Director of the Productivity Growth program at the then newly-established Grattan Institute, a ‘think tank’.

In July 2015 Saul started up his own economics consultancy business, operating out of Hobart, and in April 2016 took up a part-time position as a Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Tasmania.

Last year he completed an Independent Review of Tasmania’s Public Sector Finances, pursuant to the agreement between the Premier of Tasmania and members of the Jacqui Lambie Network in the aftermath of the 2024 state election. This year he was asked to undertake an assessment of the cases for and against the possible privatisation or divestment of 16 different business entities owned by the Tasmanian State Government – until the Government decided it no longer wanted that advice.

Saul is a member of the Australian Parliamentary Budget Office’s Advisory Panel; the Australian Taxation Office’s ‘Tax Gap’ Advisory Panel; is on the Advisory Board of Jamieson Coote Bonds, a Melbourne-based specialist bond investment manager; and is a member of the Board of the Council on the Ageing.

Saul has a first class honours degree in Economics from the University of Tasmania, and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia. In December 2012 he was awarded an Honorary LLD degree by the University of Tasmania. He has also completed the Senior Executive Program at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business in New York.