THESE ISLANDS ANNOUNCES THREE ADDITIONS TO ADVISORY COUNCIL

Tony Yates is a former Professor of Economics at Birmingham University, where he taught MSc students international macroeconomics. He has also lectured at Bristol University on monetary economics and time series, and before that worked for over 20 years at the Bank of England, most recently as a Senior Advisor on Monetary Policy Strategy. He has written often for the UK national press with pieces in most of the major UK outlets, on economics and politics.

On joining These Islands’ Advisory Council, Tony said:

"These Islands have been forensic and relentless in commenting on the economics of Scottish independence: on public finances, monetary policy, and trade. I'm delighted to join their Advisory Board and looking forward to being a part of this effort as the debate about the future of the Union evolves."

Joyce Quin began her career as a Lecturer in French and Politics at Bath and Durham Universities. She was elected to the European Parliament in 1979 as Labour MEP for Tyne and Wear and then entered the House of Commons in 1987 as MP for Gateshead East. During her time in Parliament she held a number of shadow Ministerial and Ministerial Roles including being Minister for Prisons and Probation, Minister for Europe, and an Agriculture Minister. A member of the House of Lords since 2006, she has served in both front and back-bench roles. Outside Parliament she chairs the Strategic Board of Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums (TWAM). She is the author of a book on the British Constitution (2010) and on notable women of the North-East "Angels of the North" (2018).

On joining These Islands’ Advisory Council, Joyce said:

"I am delighted to become a member of the Advisory Council of These Islands. I have supported the organisation from its beginnings and have been very impressed with its work. I also feel strongly that its purpose and beliefs could not be more relevant and crucial at the present time, given the economic and political challenges currently facing the UK."

Chris Murray is an expert on immigration and borders policy. He has worked on preventing human trafficking and supporting vulnerable migrants across Scotland. He was a Research Fellow on migration at the Institute for Public Policy Research, prior to which he worked as an attaché at the British Embassy in Paris and as an aide to Harriet Harman MP. Chris is also chair of the board at the Refugee Survival Trust, a charity based in Glasgow. He has written about migration policy for the New Statesman, the Times Red Box, the Huffington Post, and LabourList.

Now based in Edinburgh, Chris was brought up in Glasgow, where he attended the local state school, followed by Oxford, the Sorbonne, and the LSE. He is currently an MPA candidate at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.

On joining These Islands’ Advisory Council, Chris said:

"These Islands has become a trusted voice in the constitutional debate in Scotland, and I look forward to contributing to its important work as an Advisory Council member."