Christopher Kent to replace Philip Lowe as RBA assistant governor

Christopher Kent will replace Philip Lowe as assistant governor (economic) of the Reserve Bank, the central bank has announced.

In his new position Kent will be the chief economic adviser to RBA governor Glen Stevens and the RBA board.

Kent will take up the role when Lowe becomes deputy governor on February 14.

Kent is currently head of payments policy department at the RBA.

He holds a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an honours degree in economics from the Australian National University.

“In his current position he has overseen the bank's work on the Australian payments system and was previously head of economic research department,” says the RBA.

“He has had extensive experience in high-level policy advice and has authored numerous articles on the Australian economy and macroeconomic policy.”

Following Kent's appointment, Tony Richards, currently head of economic analysis, will move to become head of payments policy.

Jonathan Kearns, head of economic research, will move to become head of economic analysis.

The position of head of economic research will be advertised in the near future.