Prof. Lester Hunt
 | I was born and bred in Enfield, Middlesex and educated at Ambrose Fleming Comprehensive School. I took my first degree in Economics and Econometrics at Loughborough University in 1978 and a Masters degree in Economics at the University of Essex in 1979. My first academic post was a one year temporary appointment at the University of Essex followed by a post at University College, Swansea (UCS) from 1980 to 1989.
From 1985 to 1987 I was seconded from UCS to H.M. Treasury as an Economic Adviser working on tax relief for Performance Related Pay and, in the forecasting division, on employment, productivity and unemployment. From 1989 to 1991, I worked in the University of Surrey before moving to Midlands Electricity plc (MEB). During my time there I set up models to analyse energy prices and electricity demand and subsequently headed the Economics Team responsible for national and regional forecasts and general ad-hoc economic advice. I moved from MEB in 1994 to take up the Chair of Business Economics at the University of Portsmouth, subsequently becoming Head of the Department of Economics in 1996. I returned to the University of Surrey in January 1999 as Professor of Energy Economics, was Head of Department from January 1999 to December 2003, and became Director of the Surrey Energy Economics Centre (SEEC) in 2003. My academic research focuses on energy demand modelling and the analysis of energy markets and regulation. In the past it has also included the analysis of labour productivity and empirical studies of privatised UK utilities. I have a number of published articles in Applied Economics, Applied Economics Letters, Economic Journal, Energy Economics, Energy Journal, Energy Policy, Fiscal Studies, Journal of Energy and Development, Manchester School, New Economy, Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Regional Studies and the Scottish Journal of Political Economy. Away from the University, my life revolves around my family. I married Sue in 1981 and we have three daughters: Samantha, Charlotte, and Harriet; spare time is therefore at a premium! However, when I can find the time, I enjoy soccer (but only watching these days) and my recent passion - running. I completed my first full marathon on 7th January 2001 in Walt Disney World, Florida in 4:19:55, the London Marathon on 14th April 2002 in 3:54:37, and the Florida Walt Disney World Marathon again on 7th January 2007 in 4:01:01. RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS My academic research focuses on energy demand modelling, the analysis of energy markets & regulation and energy policy. Please click here for a list of selected publications and work in progress. 
|
