David Willetts

David Willetts is Chairman of the UK Space Agency and President of the Resolution Foundation, specialising in economic policy, intergenerational fairness, and the future of higher education and science. A former Minister for Universities and Science who attended Cabinet from 2010 to 2014, he served as Member of Parliament for Havant for over two decades and is now an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society, a Visiting Professor at King's College London, and a member of the Council of the Institute for Fiscal Studies. His sessions equip leaders and policymakers with clear frameworks for navigating complex challenges around skills, innovation funding, and social equity, translating research into practical strategies that shape better organisational and public policy decisions.

David Willetts served as Minister for Universities and Science from 2010 to 2014, attending Cabinet during a transformative period for British higher education and research policy. During more than two decades as Member of Parliament for Havant, he shaped debates on economic reform, intergenerational fairness, and the role of science in national prosperity. Before entering Parliament in 1992, he worked at HM Treasury and the Number 10 Policy Unit, building expertise in fiscal strategy and public policy design. His career has combined frontline political leadership with rigorous intellectual engagement, earning him recognition as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society and fellowships from the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Today, as Chairman of the UK Space Agency and President of the Resolution Foundation, David applies decades of policy experience to some of the most pressing challenges facing the United Kingdom. His work at the Resolution Foundation focuses on living standards, intergenerational equity, and the economic forces reshaping opportunity and security for working families. As a Visiting Professor at King's College London and a member of the Council of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, he continues to influence research and teaching on economic and social policy. His published work includes *The Pinch*, which examined the economic pressures between generations, and *A University Education*, exploring the value and purpose of higher learning. His recent commentary on tax policy and skills development reflects his ongoing commitment to translating complex economic analysis into actionable public debate.

David's sessions offer leaders, policymakers, and organisations a clear framework for understanding how economic forces, demographic change, and policy choices intersect. He helps audiences navigate the trade-offs inherent in funding innovation, managing public resources, and creating fair outcomes across generations. His approach combines rigorous evidence with practical insight, equipping decision-makers to design strategies that balance fiscal responsibility with social progress. Whether addressing the future of science funding, the economics of skills development, or the challenges of intergenerational fairness, David provides audiences with the tools to make informed, strategic decisions that shape better policy and stronger institutions.