Press Story

Harry Quilter-Pinner steps up to run influential think tank until a new permanent head is recruited
Carys Roberts, executive director since 2020, and associate director Rachel Statham both accept senior Number 10 policy unit roles
Their departure is ‘a clear sign that IPPR’s policy-making expertise is recognised by the new government’, says chair of trustees

The UK’s leading progressive policy think tank, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), has appointed Harry Quilter-Pinner as interim executive director after Carys Roberts was recruited to work in Downing Street.

Quilter-Pinner was most recently IPPR’s director of policy and politics, heading up the organisation’s policy and influencing work in Westminster, and was previously its director of research. Prior to that he was an associate director and led IPPR’s health policy work. He takes up his new role immediately.

Roberts, an economist, will take up her new role as a special adviser within the Downing Street Policy Unit, leading on climate, energy and the environment, next month after a period of wrapping up and handover at IPPR.

Statham, who headed IPPR’s work on a range of public services, starts as the policy unit’s lead on childcare, the early years and education next week, also in a special adviser role.

Lord Victor Adebowale, chair of IPPR’s trustees, said:

“We wish Carys Roberts all good luck in her new role, and thank her for her extraordinary leadership of IPPR over the past four years. We also congratulate Rachel Statham – the fact that both have been recruited to work in Downing Street is a clear sign that IPPR’s huge policy-making expertise is recognised by the new government.

“We’re delighted that Harry Quilter-Pinner has agreed to step up as interim executive director. He will provide continued deep policy understanding and ensure consistency at this exciting moment of opportunity for the whole organisation.”

Harry Quilter-Pinner, newly appointed interim executive director, said:

“I am delighted to be stepping up to be the interim Executive Director at IPPR at this incredibly important moment for progressive politics. IPPR has been at the heart of progressive change in the UK for decades. I am proud to be able to ensure that IPPR will continue to play this vital role in the coming months as we recruit a permanent Executive Director.”

Carys Roberts, outgoing executive director said:

“It has been a huge privilege to lead IPPR, and it’ll be a real wrench to leave. However I do so safe in the knowledge that IPPR is stronger than it’s ever been, and will keep driving forward its work for economic, environmental, social and democratic progress.

“I’m delighted that the trustees have appointed Harry Quilter-Pinner as interim Executive Director while they recruit for the permanent position. He brings a wealth of experience, skills and knowledge of IPPR - and he understands both the policy needs and the huge opportunities that come at this moment of change.”

ENDS

Harry Quilter-Pinner is available for interview

CONTACT

David Wastell, Director of News and Communications: 07921 403651 d.wastell@ippr.org

Liam Evans, Senior Digital and Media Officer: 07419 365334 l.evans@ippr.org

NOTES TO EDITORS

Harry Quilter-Pinner joined IPPR as a researcher in 2014 and worked extensively on the organisation’s health policy before becoming associate director for work and the welfare state. He co-founded and headed up IPPR’s flagship Better Health and Care programme and was lead author on the independent cross-party Lord Darzi review, which shaped previous government’s NHS Long-Term Plan. He has also led work on austerity and public spending, and contributed to research on education, welfare and environmental policy. More recently, while director of research and policy, he led IPPR’s work on public service reform. He has written regularly for the Guardian, Times, Independent, Telegraph, i paper, and New Statesman, as well as appearing on radio and tv, including Sky News and BBC News. He was previously director of strategy at SCT, a homelessness and addictions charity, and has worked at Global Counsel, a consultancy firm, and at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). He has a degree in economics from the University of York.
IPPR (the Institute for Public Policy Research) is an independent charity working towards a fairer, greener, and more prosperous society. We are researchers, communicators, and policy experts creating tangible progressive change, and turning bold ideas into common sense realities. Working across the UK, IPPR, IPPR North, and IPPR Scotland are deeply connected to the people of our nations and regions, and the issues our communities face. We have helped shape national conversations and progressive policy change for more than 30 years. From making the early case for the minimum wage and tackling regional inequality, to proposing a windfall tax on energy companies, IPPR’s research and policy work has put forward practical solutions for the crises facing society. www.ippr.org