Swinney (pictured) joins from Centre for Cities, where he was director of policy and research. At The Data City, he will shape the company’s economic insight tools and help in its aims to position real-time data as a replacement for traditional industrial classification codes.

Founded in 2018, The Data City’s platform offers industrial data on emerging economic sectors and markets. The company is headquartered in Leeds and is currently extending its reach internationally to Europe and North America.

Earlier this year, the company received a £2m investment from economic advisory firm Oxford Economics.

In his new role, Swinney will oversee the next phase of the company’s media and insight products, including a relaunched Frontier Economy Index.

He will work with government, finance and industry clients, and mentor The Data City’s economics team, collaborating across research, data science and product development.

Alex Craven, co-founder and chief executive of The Data City, said: “Paul has long been one of the most respected voices in UK economic policy. His appointment comes as we build the foundations of a new global industrial classification system and develop the tools that will inform investment, policy and growth worldwide.”