Evening Meeting: Why a changing economy requires changing economics?

Kindly hosted by the Resolution Foundation, the SPE are delighted to welcome Diane Coyle to discuss her new book, Cogs and Monsters, with Sam Beckett, Second Permanent Secretary, ONS and Joint Head of the Government Economic Service. Following a Welcome Address by Torsten Bell, Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation, the discussion will be chaired by Mario Pisani, SPE Council.

Professor Diane Coyle is the Bennett Professor of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge. Diane co-directs the Bennett Institute where she heads research under the themes of progress and productivity. Her new book ‘Cogs and Monsters’ looks at how economics needs to change, while her previous book, ‘Markets, State and People – Economics for Public Policy’ examines how societies reach decisions about the use and allocation of economic resources. Diane is also a Director of the Productivity Institute, a Fellow of the Office for National Statistics, an expert adviser to the National Infrastructure Commission, and Senior Independent Member of the ESRC Council. She has served in public service roles including as Vice Chair of the BBC Trust, member of the Competition Commission, of the Migration Advisory Committee and of the Natural Capital Committee. Diane was Professor of Economics at the University of Manchester until March 2018 and was awarded a CBE for her contribution to the public understanding of economics in the 2018 New Year Honours.

Sam Beckett became Second Permanent Secretary at the ONS and the Deputy Chief Executive at the UK Statistics Authority in September 2020. In this role, Sam looks after Economic, Social and Environmental Statistics, alongside corporate services. She is also joint head of the Government Economic Service. Directly prior to ONS, she was acting Permanent Secretary at BEIS, where, among other things, she oversaw the covid response. Prior to that she was the Director General at BEIS responsible for the Department’s broad and complex EU-exit preparations. Sam has over 25 years’ experience in BEIS, Cabinet Office and HM Treasury in roles spanning micro and macro-economics, strategy, policy and corporate services delivery. She was made a Companion of the Bath (CB) in 2020.

Registration and networking drinks from 5.30pm. The talks will commence at 6.00pm prompt and finish at 7.00pm. This event is for members only. If you wish to learn more please email admin@spe.org.uk