In a significant move for Britain's policy landscape, Lord David Frost has been appointed as the new director general of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), the prominent right-leaning think tank announced. The former cabinet minister, best known for leading the UK's Brexit negotiations, will assume the role in January 2026, heralding what the organisation describes as a "new chapter".
A New Mandate for Economic Freedom
Lord Frost will be tasked with driving the IEA's refreshed focus on promoting the principles of freedom, markets, and limited government as the surest path to prosperity. Upon his appointment, the former diplomat will relinquish the Conservative whip and will sit in the House of Lords as a non-affiliated peer, allowing him to advocate for these ideas from an independent standpoint.
"I am delighted to be able to make the case for freedom from this new vantage point," Frost stated. He praised the IEA's historical role in shaping the free-market revolution of the 1980s and emphasised the urgent need for a similar intellectual effort today to counter what he termed a "bleak outlook of statism and collectivism."
Leadership Transition and Political Connections
Frost will replace Tom Clougherty, who stepped down as executive director last month after less than two years in the position. Clougherty himself had taken over from Mark Littlewood, who led the think tank for nearly 15 years. Littlewood was instrumental in shaping the policy agenda of Liz Truss's short-lived government and was subsequently nominated for a peerage.
This appointment marks a return to a prominent public role for Frost, whose career has spanned senior diplomatic posts, including serving as the UK's ambassador to Denmark from 2006 to 2008. His most high-profile role was as the UK's chief negotiator in the post-Brexit trade talks with the European Union under Boris Johnson, a process that culminated in a deal after ten gruelling rounds of negotiation.
Charting a Course for the Future
Linda Edwards, chairman of the IEA board of trustees, expressed strong confidence in the new leadership. "With David at the helm, the IEA will renew its focus on education and ideas: inspiring students, shaping debate, and giving future leaders the confidence to stand up for freedom," she said.
She added that the organisation is "genuinely excited" to begin this new phase under Frost's stewardship, determined to reaffirm why economic liberty and personal responsibility are fundamental to a flourishing society. This move solidifies the IEA's intent to remain a powerful voice in British political and economic discourse.
