Dr. Michael Plumb has been appointed as Head of Economic Analysis at the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). He will assume the position on August 20, 2024, and will report to Sarah Hunter, Assistant Governor (Economic).
Prior to this appointment, Dr. Plumb held several senior roles at the RBA, most recently as Head of the Banking Department. He previously served as Chief Representative for the RBA in New York, Deputy Head of Economic Analysis, and Deputy Head of Economic Research.
Dr. Plumb holds a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) and a Master of Economics & Econometrics (Hons) from the University of Sydney and a doctorate in Economics from the University of Oxford.
As Head of Economic Analysis, Dr. Plumb will lead the Economic Analysis department in monitoring and forecasting trends in both domestic and international economies. He will also advise Governors and the Reserve Bank Board on developments and monetary policy.
Carl Schwartz has been promoted to Head of Note Issue at the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). He will take up the position on September 30, 2024, reporting to Michelle McPhee, Assistant Governor (Business Services).
Mr. Schwartz has been acting Head of Domestic Markets since April 2023. Before this role, he held various senior positions across foreign reserves management, economic analysis, financial stability, and payments policy. Mr. Schwartz also served as Chief Representative in New York for the RBA and was an Adviser at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Mr. Schwartz holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from the University of Melbourne and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia.
In his new role, Mr. Schwartz will lead the Note Issue Department responsible for producing and issuing Australia's banknotes while ensuring their high quality and low counterfeiting threat. His appointment comes at a critical time as Australia navigates changes in cash use along with related policy and distribution implications.
David Jacobs will return to his role as Head of Domestic Markets in October 2024.