LONDON, March 1, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - The Bank of England's monetary policy committee will have a female majority for the first time, following Thursday's nomination of economist Clare Lombardelli.

Lombardelli, currently chief economist at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, will be the fifth woman on the British central bank's nine-person policy-setting committee.

She will succeed Ben Broadbent as deputy governor for a five-year term starting July 1.

"Clare brings significant experience to the role tackling financial and economic issues both domestically and internationally," Britain's finance minister Jeremy Hunt said in the bank's statement.

Andrew Bailey, the bank's governor, said Lombardelli "brings a huge amount of relevant experience and expertise" to the job "at a time of great importance for the UK economy".

Lombardelli began her career at the Bank of England, has also worked at the International Monetary Fund and at Downing Street, the British prime minister's office.