Sir Alan became a lecturer in Econometrics at the University of Birmingham in 1951. In 1961, he was appointed Professor of Econometrics and Social Statistics and remained at the University until 1968, when he went to the London School of Economics as Sir Ernest Cassel Professor of Economics. He was also Chief Economic Adviser to the Government, as well as Economic Adviser to the World Bank. Although Lady Walters did not meet Sir Alan until they were both in London, Lady Walters also studied at Birmingham, graduating with a BA in English in 1970 and a Certificate in Education in 1972.