Downing Battcock Institute Annual Lecture: Lord O'Donnell

The lecture will be delivered by Lord O’Donnell GCB (Gus O'Donnell), former Cabinet Secretary and Head of the British Civil Service.

Followed by a drinks & networking reception.

Speaker Biography:

Gus O'Donnell served as Cabinet Secretary and Head of the British Civil Service from 2005 to 2011, during which he oversaw the formation of the first coalition government since World War II.

Prior to this, he was Permanent Secretary to the Treasury (2002–2005) and represented the UK on the IMF and World Bank Boards. Gus was Chair of Frontier Economics for 11 years and continues to support the consulting firm in an Ambassadorial role.

He also holds several other positions, including Strategic Advisor and Board Member for Brookfield Asset Management, President of the Council of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), and Honorary President of Pro Bono Economics (PBE).

Additionally, he is a Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics (LSE) and University College London (UCL), as well as a member of the Economist Trust. Gus studied Economics at Warwick University and Nuffield College, Oxford, before beginning his academic career as a lecturer at Glasgow University.

Knighted in 2005, he was appointed to the House of Lords in 2012, where he sits as a crossbencher. He is also an Honorary Fellow of the British Academy and a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.

Arrival from 5.45pm. We kindly request that guests are seated in good time for a prompt start.

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