He specializes in research, consulting and capacity building in the financial sector and corporate governance. John Thompson has been a consultant to the OECD, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, USAID, the Groupe d'Économie Mondiale at Institut d'Études Politiques, the Harvard Institute for International Development and the APEC Center for Finance and Development (Shanghai.)During his years as Head of the Financial Affairs Division and Financial Counselor at OECD, John Thompson had responsibility for structural and regulatory issues related to banking, capital markets, institutional investors, insurance, pensions and the structure of the international financial system. He was the head of the team that drafted the OECD Principles of Corporate Governance in 1999 and has worked on issues of corporate governance both in OECD countries and in emerging markets. He also served as OECD representative to the Vulnerabilities Group for the Financial Stability Forum. At the time of the Asian financial crisis he was seconded as financial sector reform specialist to the Asian Development Bank office; Prior to coming to the OECD, John Thompson worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh.He has published analytic and policy-oriented books, articles and papers on issues related to economics, financial markets and corporate governance.

Taught economics and finance at Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh and the Graduate International Business School at Brandeis University.

As Financial Counselor (2000-05) worked on interdisciplinary projects and those involving cooperation with other international organizations. As member of the Vulnerabilities Group of the Financial Stability Forum (FSF), collaborated with experts from central banks, financial supervisors and other international organizations in identifying possible vulnerabilities in the global financial system. Directed policy dialogue and technical assistance with non member countries (Asia, transition economies and Latin America). As Head of the OECD Corporate Governance Project (1998-99), organized interdisciplinary group on corporate governance. Headed the team that drafted OECD Principles of Corporate Governance, working with Task Force of experts from OECD countries. Financial Markets Division (1983-97.) Began as Senior Financial Economist. Promoted to Head of Division in 1993. Managed a staff of 25 in support of the Financial Markets Committee and its specialized subcommittees, which are composed of senior officials of treasuries, central banks and other international organizations (IMF, World Bank, BIS, etc.). Areas of special study included structural change in banking and capital markets, regulatory reform, new financial instruments and techniques, liberalization of financial markets, government securities markets, privatization and trade in financial services. Managed projects to address issues arising from the internationalization of securities markets. Issues addressed included structure and regulation of securities markets (e.g., alternative trading systems, institutional investors, securitization, privatization, risk management systems, mergers and acquisitions and systemic risk.) Supervised analysis by members of the Division. Maintained contacts with officials in member governments, academics and executives in the financial services industry. Responsible for Financial Market Trends (three times annually) and other publications.

Began Mellon's international economics program. After two years, named chief of international economics unit. Developed Mellon's country risk systems. Responsible for all work on country risk. Advised International Department and Senior Management on strategy. Made presentations inside and outside Bank. Supervised and trained economists and research assistants. Member of Country Review Committee, which set country limits and determined international lending policy. Monitored actual and potential debt reschedulings. Member of economics subcommittee of bank committee to re negotiate Ecuador's debt.

Responsible for analysis and forecasting of United States economy, balance of payments and domestic and international financial markets. Wrote foreign exchange market reports for Federal Open Market Committee. May September 1971, Federal Reserve System representative at Center for Latin American Monetary Studies (CEMLA) in Mexico City.