• News
• Publications
• Articles
• Events
• Research

• Current Releases
• Archive

You are in: news

New Director of ippr takes up ‘once in a generation’ challenge to rethink progressive ideas

26 July 2010

Download a Q&A between Nick Pearce and ippr

The UK’s leading progressive think tank, the Institute for Public Policy Research, has appointed Nick Pearce as its new Director. 

Nick Pearce is returning to the directorship after spending three years at Number Ten Downing Street where he was Head of the Policy Unit.

James Purnell, the recently appointed Chair of ippr, said:

“This is the time to rethink progressive ideas and Nick is the ideal person to lead ippr through that task. He is returning to ippr where he was a great success but this time with the added experience of running the Number Ten Policy Unit. Nick combines his unrivalled experience of government with the breadth of knowledge and courage to reform that we were looking for in a new Director to take ippr forward.”

Commenting on his appointment, Nick Pearce said:

“I am delighted to be joining James in leading ippr at this critical time in British politics. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rethink and renew progressive ideas in this country and it is my ambition that ippr will be at that heart of that process: unashamedly reformist, open and pluralist, but always grounded in strong values and rigorous research. Our goal will be to shape public debate on the big challenges faced by the country, as well as to develop radical new policy agendas for progressive politics.

"I pay warm tribute to Lisa Harker and Carey Oppenheim, under whose co-directorship ippr has strengthened its research and influence on a range of issues, from local studies of poverty and ageing, to international partnerships on climate change and migration policy. They are held in enormous respect and fondness by all of the ippr’s staff and its partners, and will be greatly missed.”

Nick Pearce will be taking up his post as Director on 6 September 2010.

Contacts

Nyta Mann, Media Manager: +44 (0)20 7470 6112 / 07970 602065 / n.mann@ippr.org

Tim Finch, Director of Strategic Communications: +44 (0)20 7470 6106 / 07595 920899 /  
t.finch@ippr.org 

Notes to editors

Nick Pearce is the author of numerous books and articles on public policy issues, ranging from education to immigration, welfare reform, the theory of social justice and South American politics. In addition to leading the No.10 Policy Unit, during his career he has worked as an adviser in the Home Office, Cabinet Office and Department for Education and Employment. He is currently a member of the board of the Royal Institute of British Architects Trust and the UK-India Roundtable.