The former Conservative cabinet minister Lord David Frost has been appointed as the new director-general and Ralph Harris Fellow of the charitable think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs.
He will assume the role in January, succeeding Tom Clougherty, who stepped down as executive director with immediate effect on 13 October, according to the think tank’s website. The IEA did not respond to requests for further details about Clougherty’s departure.
Frost said he had retired the Conservative whip in the House of Lords to take up the role at the think tank, but would continue to sit as a non-affiliated peer.
He brings years of political and diplomatic experience to the post, including time as the chief Brexit negotiator and Europe adviser to the former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, between 2019 and 2021.
Frost also served as cabinet minister responsible for EU relations during 2021, in Johnson’s government.
Prior to this, Frost was a diplomat, with postings in Brussels, New York, Paris and Nicosia, ending his diplomatic career as British ambassador to Denmark.
Between 2013 and 2016, he was the chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association.
The IEA said Frost’s appointment “marks the beginning of a new chapter” for the organisation, one “focused on rebuilding public understanding of how freedom, markets, enterprise and limited government create prosperity”.
Frost said: “I am delighted to be able to make the case for freedom from this new vantage point, as director-general of the IEA, one of Britain’s oldest, greatest, and certainly most pro-freedom think tanks.”
He added that the charity did not engage in party politics, explaining his plans to retire the Conservative whip.
“I look forward to having even greater freedom to say what I think and (to adopt the famous phrase of FA Hayek) to argue ever more strongly against the socialists of all parties,” he said.
Linda Edwards, chair of the IEA, said that Frost “brings deep conviction, strong leadership, and a proven record of turning vision into action”.
She said: “He has led teams through major challenges, modernised complex organisations and shown how clear principles can produce real results.
“We are genuinely excited to begin this new chapter under strong leadership, determined to reassert why economic liberty, personal responsibility and limited government remain the surest foundations for a flourishing society.
“I would also like to thank Tom Clougherty for his excellent work as executive director over the past two years. He guided the IEA through a successful transition and strengthened and amplified its voice in public debate.”