James has worked in and around government for nearly 20 years, from Downing Street to leadership roles at the Resolution Foundation, Citizens Advice, and Nesta. He brings experience in organisational transformation and contemporary governance. He is the author of End State and is currently working on his next book.

Polly is a policy innovator and social entrepreneur focused on rebuilding trust in public life. She was formerly Chief Executive of Demos, where she pioneered methods in participative democracy. She has led policy at the heart of government, founded the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, helped launch the Women’s Equality Party, and chaired Shift Design. She appears regularly on broadcast media.

Laura is a strategic and creative CEO who has transformed charities and public services to work better for and with people. With deep expertise in digital transformation, strategy, and design, she loves helping communities imagine a different future — and take steps toward it. She was previously CEO at YoungMinds, Deputy CEO at With You, and Chief Digital Officer at Citizens Advice.

Resla is an expert in healthy models of governance and is our link into the Governance Futures network. She graduated from Yale University where she focused on resilient governance and Africa–Asia-Pacific relations. Resla has worked as outreach coordinator for Princeton in Africa, at the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center in Thailand, and the National Endowment for Democracy in Washington D.C.

Gavin is an expert in improving government through data and digital. He is a policy associate at Connected by Data, hosts Data Bites at Public Digital, chairs Think Digital Partners conferences, co-founded TransformGov Talks, and is an associate at the Institute for Government. Formerly its data and digital programme director, he is now exploring launching a new thinktank, State of the Future.

Emily is an organisational consultant and knowledge-sharing expert, specialising in communities of practice. Through her company, Tacit, she has helped governments and organisations worldwide. Formerly Head of Agile Delivery at the Government Digital Service, she has written two books—Building Successful Communities of Practice and The Team Onion—and has setup many thriving professional meetups.

Jess is a values-led senior leader with 15+ years in the voluntary sector. She has particular expertise in organisational change and communication. She is passionate about leading user-centred services and believes organisations work best when they engage authentically with staff, volunteers, and service users.