Colin Hunt has consolidated his position as top research economist, taking the prize in 2004 for the third consecutive year. His rise over the past number of years has been steady, having come fourth in 1999 and 2000 and third in 2001. However, 2004 is likely to be the last year the survey features Hunt, who in November left Goodbody to take up a position as special advisor to the Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen.
 | | best research economist 2004-2003 |
Hunt’s closest rival, Robbie Kelleher of Davy, came in second again after having lost out to Hunt last year also. Kelleher, like Hunt, has steadily improved his standing in this category since the departure of his former colleague Jim O’Leary who had made the top spot his own no less than 11 times in 17 years. Kelleher also has a strong pedigree in the ‘Best equity strategist’ category, which he won this year. In the ‘Best research economist’ category, third place went to Seamus Murphy of Merrion and fourth went to Dermot O’Brien of NCB, who fell from third in 2003. |
