Dr Diana Beech will lead public policy institute focussed on translating interdisciplinary research into solutions for real-world challenges

By City Press Office (City Press Office), Published

City St George’s, University of London has appointed Dr Diana Beech as the inaugural director of the Finsbury Institute, its new public policy institute. Dr Beech has also been appointed as Professor of Policy and Government Affairs and Associate Vice-President for Policy and Government Affairs.

Dr Beech has an established track record in leadership and policy roles in higher education and within national government. She is currently the Chief Executive of London Higher which engages with its member institutions, government and London stakeholders to advocate for higher education in the capital.  Prior to this, she was a policy adviser to three UK Universities and Science Ministers, Head of Government Affairs at the University of Warwick and the first Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI). She holds a PhD in German Studies from the University of Cambridge.

Institute will support new forms of policy engagement

Established earlier this year, this new, outward-facing hub for policy research and practice is being developed to meet the dynamic analysis, research, advisory and professional development needs of the UK policy community. Whilst most existing policy initiatives tend principally to face towards Whitehall, we aim to support and engage with business and the professions through our unique platform in the City of London.

The Director will build and shape an influential Institute that will bring together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, campaigners, and other key organisations to address the most pressing local, national and global policy issues of our time. This role is designed to foster external engagement and will operate outside conventional research structures and with a strong emphasis on entrepreneurial innovation.

Professor Sir Anthony Finkelstein, President, City St George’s said:

“We are the university of business, practice and the professions, and the civic university of the City of London. This distinctive positioning supports new forms of policy engagement and ‘audiences’ for insights from cutting edge research. I am delighted that Diana will be the inaugural Director.”

Professor Charles Lees, Executive Dean, School of Policy and Global Affairs said:

“The School of Policy and Global Affairs is proud to host the Finsbury Institute, and we are delighted to appoint Diana as its inaugural Director. Diana has extensive experience within the UK policy community and a robust network of influential contacts. She brings credibility and leadership in engaging with business and other stakeholders and has the intellectual heft to make best use of cutting-edge research in the social sciences and beyond.”

Dr Diana Beech said:

"I am thrilled to be joining City St George's, University of London as the inaugural Director of the new outward-facing Finsbury Institute and as Associate Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs.

“With the world around us changing at pace, never has there been a more important time to connect the vital research being conducted in the heart of the City with the practitioners and policymakers who are working hard to shape the future. And never has there been a better place from which to do it than the freshly merged university of business, practice and the professions.

“I look forward to joining the City St George's team soon and working alongside its dedicated researchers, students, alumni and partners to create an institute that is committed to tackling the biggest societal challenges of our times. Together, I know we can foster a culture of collaboration that is every bit as dynamic as the City it serves."

Find out more

Dr Beech will start in her role in April 2025.  Further information about the Finsbury Institute can be found here.

Hashtags