The Institute for Government welcomes Lord Adonis as its new Director

The Institute for Government has welcomed Lord Adonis as its new Director.

Andrew Adonis has taken the directorship after having served twelve years in government as a minister and special adviser, most recently as Secretary of State for Transport. He takes over from Lord Bichard who has become a Senior Fellow.

Andrew said:

"I relish this exciting new challenge to make a decisive difference to the quality of decision-making and leadership in Whitehall and Westminster.

"The Institute for Government has the mission and potential to become a world class centre for research, learning and discussion of best practice in the art of government.

"My entire career has been spent in government as a practitioner, or as a close observer as a journalist and academic. I have a passionate commitment to improving the way we are governed, a passion shared by the governors and staff of the Institute for Government whom I will be privileged to work alongside."

Former Head of Research Dr David Halpern has also been appointed Deputy Director of the Institute for Government.

Commenting on his appointment, Andrew said:

"David has been an outstanding Research Director at the Institute over the past two years.

"He devised the original plan for the Institute together with Lord Sainsbury, he has long experience of strategic policy-making in government, and of public and social policy analysis in his previous academic work at the University of Cambridge. His experience is invaluable to the Institute."

Andrew Adonis and David Halpern took up their new posts as of 1 September.