Helen MacNamara has agreed to become the new Chair of The Future Governance Forum (FGF). Her appointment marks the beginning of a new phase for the progressive, non-partisan think tank under the new Labour government.
Building on a successful first year, FGF will focus on:
- Good governance in practice – developing ideas by testing and iterating them in practice through collaboration with practitioners at all levels of government
- Forging stronger links with frontline expertise – an influential network of reform-minded politicians, policymakers, leaders and frontline public servants exchanging insights to refine our thinking
- Institutional renewal – looking afresh at how we rewire the state and its institutions to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
FGF was launched in November 2023 and has established itself within the progressive policy space for innovative strategic thinking on delivery and statecraft. In its first year, FGF has published influential research on economic devolution and the transition to power ahead of the recent UK government handover, including partnering with economist Mariana Mazzucato on how the government might turn ‘mission-driven government’ from ambition into action.
Helen will work with FGF founder and Executive Director Nathan Yeowell and the FGF team to promote greater and more effective collaboration between politicians, practitioners and public servants, and to help them address the institutional, financial and delivery challenges facing government across the UK. Helen’s unique insight into the inner workings of Whitehall comes from decades of experience in public administration and at the highest levels of government.
Helen MacNamara, incoming Chair of The Future Governance Forum, said: “Making our country better is a team sport. To change the systems and the operating models that are not delivering, everyone who cares and who can help needs to get involved. I am delighted to be joining The Future Governance Forum at such a pivotal time. In the short time since it launched last year the FGF has made a significant contribution to thinking about how things can be done differently. Its rigorous, innovative body of work, alongside its proven convening power has already established a strong foundation on which to build. I am looking forward to playing my part as FGF continues its vital work shaping the future of progressive governance in the UK.”
Nathan Yeowell, Executive Director of The Future Governance Forum, said: “Helen’s appointment is a significant milestone for FGF. Her experience and understanding of the workings of government at the highest level will prove invaluable to our evolving organisation. With Helen on board, we’re looking forward to breaking new ground and advancing novel, practical approaches to policy making and delivery.”
Helen MacNamara has held several senior roles in the UK civil service, including over a decade at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. She managed the domestic Cabinet Secretariat (2013-15) and coordinated preparations across government for the 2015 general election. She moved to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as Director General for Housing and Planning, before returning to the Cabinet Office in 2018 and serving as Deputy Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Cabinet Secretariat until her departure in February 2021.
Nathan Yeowell is the founder and Executive Director of The Future Governance Forum (FGF). Before founding FGF, Nathan ran Progress/Progressive Britain between 2019 and 2023 and co-founded the moderate campaign group Labour to Win in 2020. A former Head of the Labour Group Office at the Local Government Association (LGA), he was elected to Torfaen County Borough Council in 2022 and is Chair of the Greater Gwent Pension Fund.
