IPPR appoints Carys Roberts as chief economist and head of new Centre for Economic Justice

Carys will lead team building on IPPR Commission on Economic Justice

Carys Roberts has been appointed to lead a Centre for Economic Justice being set up by IPPR, and as the think tank’s chief economist and associate director.

Formerly IPPR’s senior economist, Carys led the organisation’s quantitative work and the analysis underpinning the Commission on Economic Justice’s final report, published last September. Within the Commission, her work focused on issues relating to wealth inequality, automation, work and gender.

The new Centre is being established to broaden and deepen the work of the Commission, whose members included the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Commission’s landmark report, Prosperity and Justice, called for a radical rethink of the UK economy. It said justice should be “hard wired” into the economy and included more than 70 proposals for wide-ranging change. It was welcomed by leading figures across the political spectrum and won widespread praise from economists and commentators.

Carys also edits IPPR’s quarterly journal, Progressive Review. She previously worked within the charity sector, specialising in impact evaluation.

Carys Roberts, IPPR Associate Director and head of the Centre for Economic Justice, said:

“I’m very excited to have been asked to lead IPPR’s Centre for Economic Justice. The UK economy is not working for millions of people and its problems predate both Brexit and the financial crash.

“We need fundamental reform on a scale not seen for decades, with a new vision for the purpose of our economy and a rebalancing of economic power. The Centre will set out how that can be achieved through rigorous research and engagement with the communities affected by economic policy.

“I’m hugely looking forward to working with the brilliant team at IPPR to develop further the work of the Commission and lay the path to a just economy.”

Tom Kibasi, IPPR Director and founder of the Centre for Economic Justice, said:

“I am delighted to have appointed Carys to lead our Centre for Economic Justice and work as IPPR’s chief economist. Since joining IPPR, Carys has been dedicated to producing high quality research and analysis. She played a major role in delivering the Commission on Economic Justice and we are excited that she will be leading the team to take this work forward in the new Centre - making the case for a fairer economy and expanding the national conversation.”

ENDS

Carys Roberts is available for interview on economics, wealth inequality, Labour markets, work and gender, unpaid work and care and the Centre for Economic Justice.

CONTACT

David Wastell, Head of News and Communications: 07921 403651 / 020 7470 6146 d.wastell@ippr.org

Robin Harvey, Digital and Media Officer: 0207 470 6154 r.harvey@ippr.org

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The IPPR Commission on Economic Justice was a landmark initiative to rethink economic policy for post-Brexit Britain. The Commission bought together leading figures from across society to examine the challenges facing the UK economy and make practical recommendations for reform. The final report, Prosperity and Justice: A Plan for the New Economy, was published in September 2018.

2. Publications by Carys Roberts are available here.
3. IPPR is the UK’s pre-eminent progressive think tank. Our mission is to open up opportunity, power and prosperity to everyone through conducting rigorous research and generating big ideas. With more than 40 staff in offices in London, Manchester, Newcastle and Edinburgh, IPPR is Britain’s only national think tank with a truly national presence.www.ippr.org