Demos hunts new director as Reeves becomes adviser to deputy PM
Demos, one of the best-known think-tanks in Westminster, is recruiting for a new director after Richard Reeves’ departure to work for deputy prime minister Nick Clegg as special adviser on political strategy.
Julia Margo, who is Demos’s deputy director, is taking up the top role on an ‘acting’ basis with effect from this month.
Demos chair of trustees Philip Collins said: “Julia is a leading voice in policy research and I am delighted she will continue her work at Demos as acting director. Richard leaves Demos in the strongest position in its history and is proof of the organisation’s excellence and influence.”
Demos has recently appointed former economic secretary to the Treasury, Kitty Ussher (Labour MP for Burnley from 2005-2010), as chief economist. She is currently part-time.
The think-tank – which has 20 permanent staff – has also hired Richard Darlington, former special adviser to Labour’s general election co-ordinator, Douglas Alexander MP, as head of its ‘Open Left’ project while Graeme Cooke is on sabbatical (until October).
Finally, Max Wind-Cowie has become head of Demos’s ‘Progressive Conservatism’ project.
Public Affairs News reported last month that Demos’s comms head, Peter Harrington, had left after three-and-a-half years to work in the African country of Liberia (PAN, June).
1st July 2010 by PAN staff
