The Commission on Civil Society that will run from December 2020 to the end of 2022 will seek to explore the various ways in which the social, private and public sectors can come together to more fully unleash the potential of charities and other civil society organisations to make a difference to UK wellbeing. The Commission is being run by Pro Bono Economics, and in this talk Matt Whittaker will outline its scope and aims. He will also provide us with information on how charities can engage with what promises to be a major undertaking.

Matt Whittaker joined PBE in November 2019 as their CEO, having spent the previous 11 years at the Resolution Foundation think tank. He joined RF as Senior Economist shortly after its creation, and was instrumental in developing its research output and defining the low-to-middle income group that is the focus of the organisation's work. He went on to grow RF's research team considerably, becoming Chief Economist and, from 2015, Deputy Chief Executive. He is a leading expert on the subject of income inequality, and has worked across a number of areas related to UK living standards. His extensive body of written work and regular media contributions have covered the labour market, the tax and benefit system, housing, consumer debt, public finances, and the macroeconomy.

Prior to joining RF, he worked for five years in the House of Commons Library, where he provided economic and statistical advice to individual MPs and to a number of select committees. He started his career working as an economist at Hurlstons Corporate Consultancy. In 2009 he received a ‘Mentor of the Year’ award from the National Mentoring Consortium, and he received the Clayton Award in Economics when he graduated from Sheffield University.It will be an informative and fascinating session of great relevance to all involved with charities.

Charity 2020 brings together senior people in the charitable sector to meet leading figures from this and other sectors to gain the benefit of their views on major topics of current interest.

FAQs 

How does this work? In normal times meetings are held up to three times a year, at lunchtime between 12.00 noon and 2.00 p.m. The occasion provides the opportunity to mix informally over a buffet lunch before a talk by the guest speaker followed by a lively question and answer session. During the Covid restrictions meetings are help remotely.

What are the costs? Charity 2020 is a non-profit-making body and at present we make no charge for the luncheon meetings. There is no subscription.