Oxford Economics, the research consultancy, has hired a former chief economist at Societe Generale as head of macro forecasting for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as it turns to staff with investment banking experience to boost its forecasting team.

James Nixon has held a string of top jobs including as senior economist at Barclays, forecast coordinator at the European Central Bank and international forecast manager for the Bank of England. He was chief European economist at Societe Generale and joins from TheCityUK, where he was chief economist.