Dr. Geoff Mulgan

Geoff Mulgan is Chief Executive of Nesta (the UK’s National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts). Nesta combines investment in early-stage companies, grant programs in fields ranging from health and education to the arts and giving, and research. From 2004 to 2011, Geoff was the first Chief Executive of the Young Foundation, which became a leading center for social innovation, combining research, creation of new ventures and practical projects. 
 
Between 1997 and 2004, Geoff had various roles in the UK government, including Director of the government’s Strategy Unit and Head of Policy in the Prime Minister’s office. Before that he was the Founder and Director of the think-tank Demos. He has also been Chief Adviser to Gordon Brown, MP; a lecturer in telecommunications; an investment executive; and a reporter on BBC TV and radio. He is a visiting Professor at London School of Economics and Political Science, University College London, and Melbourne University, and a regular lecturer at the China Executive Leadership Academy. He is an adviser to many governments around the world, and has been a board member of the Work Foundation, the Health Innovation Council, The Political Quarterly and the Design Council, and Chair of Involve. He is currently Chair of the Studio Schools Trust and the Social Innovation Exchange.

His recent books include The Locust and the Bee – a study of the future of economic growth (Princeton University Press, March 2013), The Art of Public Strategy – Mobilising Power and Knowledge for the Public Good (OUP, 2008), Good and Bad Power: the Ideals and Betrayals of Government (Penguin, 2006) and Connexity (Harvard Business Press and Jonathon Cape, 1998).