WELL respected economist and BIS Oxford Economics chairman Robert Mellor has announced his retirement.
Mellor is retiring after 37 years with BIS Shrapnel.
“When I was offered the job of being a consultant at BIS Shrapnel responsible for our building forecasting services, I took eight days to decide to accept the position, as I knew it would be a significant step up in my responsibilities and also wondered about moving out of working for major corporates as I had over the previous eight years, into a small organisation.
“That decision is one I have never regretted, as it gave me a huge career opportunity and eventually in 1997, an opportunity to become a shareholder with Gary Tilsley and Frank Gelber as we bought the business from American owners,” Mellor said.
“It isn’t easy to step back after my long involvement in developing the company’s building and residential property forecasting services, as I still love the challenge of being on top of all the issues affecting those markets and the continual desire to produce the best and most accurate forecasts in the market.
“The current surge in residential house prices and housing construction is an interesting time to bow out, as it is hard to explain, but clearly the record low interest rates and the HomeBuilder stimulus are the drivers in an environment of very low population growth. How long will it last is a challenging question and one that my colleagues at BIS Oxford Economics will continue to address over the coming months in our various services.
“So thanks to those who have supported our services over many years, my colleagues with whom I have loved working and having so much fun along the way and to those I have engaged with in many a robust discussion. I will miss it but I am sure I will remain having at least a passing interest in these fascinating sectors, with their incredible cycles in the years ahead.” Mellor said.
