Victor Hewitt is the Director of the Economic Research Institute of Northern Ireland (ERINI), which was created early in 2004 through a merger of the Northern Ireland Economic Council (NIEC) and the Northern Ireland Economic Research Centre (NIERC). The mission of ERINI is to undertake research and analysis for the public good and for the improvement of policy making in Northern Ireland.

Mr Hewitt was born in Northern Ireland and educated at The Queen’s University of Belfast and the University of Manchester. Up until 1988 he taught economics and conducted research on regional modelling and fiscal issues at Queen’s before becoming the Director of the NIEC. In 1991 Mr Hewitt joined the Northern Ireland Civil Service as Chief Economist and Head of Profession. He worked in the Department of Finance and Personnel with responsibility for European Programmes and later public expenditure planning and liaison with HM Treasury. Mr Hewitt has also worked in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment which is responsible for economic development policy in Northern Ireland. While there he was responsible for the department’s research strategy.

As Director of ERINI Mr Hewitt is responsible for managing a broad research agenda including work on the role of innovation and technical change in promoting economic development.

The State of the Public Finances: 2010 and Projections to 2014

The Barnett Formula - Theory and Practice. ERINI Written Evidence.

Mitigating the Recession: Options for The Northern Ireland Executive

A Response by ERINI to 'The Review of the 2008-11 Budget'

A Response by ERINI to 'Every School A Good School – A Policy for School Improvement'

A Response by ERINI to ‘Building A Better Future Draft Budget 2008–2011’

Review of Industrial Derating Policy

Differential Corporation Tax in Northern Ireland: Analysis and Policy

An Analysis of Public Expenditure on Children in Northern Ireland - PART ONE - Spending on Children’s Services

Competing in the Global Economy: How Competitive is the NI Business Environment

A Response by ERINI to ‘Review of Rating Policy Rate Reliefs for Business

A Response by ERINI to 'NIAER Consultation on: The Proposed Acquisition of East Surrey Holdings plc by Kellen Acquisitions Limited – Implications for Phoenix Natural Gas Limited'

A Response by ERINI to: 'The Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) on the Proposals for Water Reform in Northern Ireland'

A Response by ERINI to: 'The Consultation on the Draft Priorities and Budget 2005–08'

A Response by ERINI to: 'Reform of the Domestic Rating System in Northern Ireland'

A Response by ERINI to: 'A Draft Economic Vision for Northern Ireland'