Zoë Billingham

Director of IPPR North

Zoë Billingham is the director of IPPR North, the think tank dedicated to developing bold, progressive ideas to strengthen England's regions.

Previously, Zoë worked as a civil servant for the UK government including in HM Treasury and as economic policy adviser to the deputy prime minister during the coalition. Zoë has also led the Centre for Progressive Policy think tank and worked in finance.

Zoë regularly appears on broadcast media, including on Channel 4 News, BBC, The Today Programme, LBC and Sky News. She writes for a range of online and print publications.

Alongside her role at IPPR North, Zoë is a fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and a UK2070 commissioner.

More from this author:

  1. A high-up view of Leeds city centre: a bustling city with a train over a viaduct in the goreground and the city and lots of green buses behind

    State of the North 2024: Charting the course for a decade of renewal

    The North’s communities are ambitious for a better future, but face systemic and pronounced inequalities. Gaps in power, wealth, opportunity, and health result in shorter, sicker, less fulfilling lives.

  2. Handforth in hindsight: The future of hyperlocal governance in England

    Hyperlocal governance has huge potential. It can give people a greater say in their areas, helping them determine and deliver what is needed in their neighbourhoods, and bring social benefits to communities as well.

  3. Watch: Zoë Billingham on BBC discussing levelling-up

    Zoë Billingham, director of IPPR North, on BBC Politics discussing our latest State of the North report.