Pro Bono Economics (PBE) uses analysis and insight drawn from the social sector to help charities, firms and policymakers to collectively tackle the causes and consequences of low personal wellbeing in the UK. The charity was founded in 2009 by Andy Haldane CBE and Martin Brookes, and has been chaired since 2016 by former Cabinet Secretary, Lord Gus O’Donnell. PBE is actively committed to having a board that represents the full diversity of the United Kingdom, as such we would actively welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented groups.

PBE's in-house and volunteer experts and economists work across many themes, including mental health, poverty, young people, complex needs, jobs and skills, volunteering and civil society. Working from the ground up, it partners with charities by offering services which range from introductory impact workshops and light-touch data advice to detailed modelling and analysis.

The direct pro bono services help charities, community groups and other non profit organisations better measure, understand and articulate their impact. PBE has supported over 900 organisations, with 94% of respondents saying they would recommend working with it. PBE also enjoys strong support from a large pool of volunteer economists, having worked with nearly 500 individuals from the private and public sectors.

Taking a more systemic approach, PBE undertakes in depth research and policy development designed to inform and influence decision-making at national and local levels. Through both routes, it aims to prioritise activity and resource allocation across the country that best targets actions to end low wellbeing.

PBE launched a research and policy function in 2020 and has since established a strong reputation for securing real-world policy change, producing work that has directly contributed to well over £1 billion of new government funding for children’s services, adult numeracy support and charity sector infrastructure.

The ground-breaking Law Family Commission on Civil Society brought together experts from the public, private and social sectors to collectively consider how best to unleash the potential of civil society and quickly positioned PBE as an authoritative voice on the effective functioning of the charity sector.

Since the Commission's conclusion, PBE has secured numerous successes – including the expansion of the remit of the Office for Investment to champion incoming philanthropic money, commitment from government to explore introducing a civil society ‘satellite account’ and £500,000 of government money.

Future ambitions

These are exciting times for PBE. Over the last three years it has significantly expanded the team, output and reach. It is now preparing to enter a new phase which will allow the organisation to achieve even more.

PBE continues to face strong demand for support from within the social sector but is also increasingly building influence within the private and public sectors. It is actively diversifying the funding base to provide greater security and scope for further activity expansion. And it is gaining prominence within the economics profession, helping more economists to understand how the subject can support better wellbeing across the UK.

The Board and executives are currently finalising a new three-year strategy to underpin these ambitions, with a vision of "an end to low personal wellbeing in the United Kingdom". The context is a transition from the Law Family Commission period to a new model that balances impact work with a broad-based research and policy programme funded from multiple sources. PBE’s three part strategic aims are about creating:

• More impact - scaling activity, broadening audience, raising income
• Deeper impact - upskilling, strengthening evidence, building coalitions
• Better working - embedding values, maturing processes, investing in staff

Specific responsibilities include to:

• Chair the Board, ensuring that meetings are conducted in an effective and collegiate manner and that clear decisions are made on strategy, policy, financial stewardship and risk. The Board places particular value on inclusive discussion
• Represent PBE, in particular to the economics profession, policymakers, the charity sector / civil society and to current and potential major donors, as a key part of the on-going fundraising effort
• Monitor the operating environment in which PBE works, addressing emerging issues and ensuring that PBE retains its values and standards
• Provide oversight to ensure that PBE’s governance is of the highest possible standard, that it has clear vision and strategic direction and that it complies with its governing documents, legal and regulatory requirements
• Act as a source of advice and support for the CEO and provide regular feedback on their performance
• Lead the organisation in resource management control and aid PBE in securing and managing the resources it needs, ensuring that these are then deployed effectively
• Work with the Trustee Diversity Champion to challenge and improve diversity at board level

The Board is looking for an exceptional individual to lead PBE through its next stage of development. The successful candidate will play a vital role in helping to shape and implement the organisation’s new three year strategy, working collaboratively with trustees and other key stake-holders, overseeing the work of the CEO and contributing to plans for a strong financial future.

Candidates should demonstrate a knowledge or experience of several of the following:

• Deep networks within the public, charity and commercial sectors, as relevant to PBE
• Understanding of policy development and influencing, with particular relevance to causes of low wellbeing
• Economics and related disciplines (e.g. statistics)
• CEO support and the provision of an effective link between board and executive
• Fundraising, with an emphasis on leveraging the resources at PBE’s disposal
• Successful management of organisational development
• Communication which maximises impact with key stakeholders, especially via digital channels

The Board is chaired by Lord Gus O’Donnell, and has ten further Trustees.

Lord Gus O’Donnell, Chair 
Matthew Brumsen, Deputy Chair
Rubina Ahmed
David Gregson
Akiko Hart
Ed Humpherson CB
Jonathan Loynes
Mitch Oliver, Diversity Champion
Belinda Phipps
Damien Régent, Treasurer
Jenny Scott

You can find out more about the Board here. PBE is also supported by a high profile set of patrons – including Dame Kate Barker, Diane Coyle, Lord Jim O’Neil, Robert Peston, Dr Sushil Wadhwani and Martin Wolf – and retains a strong connection with co-founder Andy Haldane given his position as President.

This role is unremunerated but reasonable, pre-agreed expenses will be reimbursed. The appointment is for a three-year term, with the possibility of reappointment for a further two terms (up to a maximum of nine years).

The Chair will be expected to demonstrate commitment to the role and the organisation and candidates are asked to give around two to three days per month to PBE. The Board of Trustees normally meets formally four times per year in-person, including an away day. In addition, the Chair attends occasional evening events or meetings.

PBE believes that providing equality of opportunity, valuing and embracing diversity, promoting a culture of inclusion and drawing on the skills, understanding and experience of their employees are vital to the success of their mission. They are guided by their values and believe that being a diverse and inclusive organisation enables them not only to be a better employer, but ensures they better understand society and so conduct better research and impact evaluations. PBE aims to ensure that equality is embedded in all of their activities, policies and decisions and will work with their collaborators to share good practice.

PBE welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.