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Reeves to take over Demos


by Sunny Hundal    
July 17, 2008 at 9:42 pm

The writer and author Richard Reeves will take over from Catherine Fieschi at Demos. The latter resigned from the left-wing think tank on Monday. Updated.

The press release was emailed over:

The Board of Trustees of Demos have appointed Richard Reeves to the role of Director. Richard is a former director of futures at The Work Foundation and has worked as an economics and social affairs journalist for both The Guardian and The Observer.

His latest book is John Stuart Mill – Victorian Firebrand, an intellectual biography of the liberal philosopher.

Ed Straw, Chair of Trustees, said: “The world, and the political landscape, continue to change in unexpected ways and Demos aims to understand, interpret and influence these changes. Richard Reeves is the person best placed to lead Demos into that new challenge. As Chair of trustees I am delighted with his appointment.”

Richard Reeves said: “I am delighted to be joining Demos, especially at this political moment. There is a tremendous opportunity for a think-tank focused on people power – and one which is intensely political but not party political. Demos has long argued that good societies arise when citizens have the opportunity and power to construct their own version of a good life. Demos has a strong brand and a storied history. I am honoured by the chance to be part of its future.”

Catherine Fieschi said: “I said in the New Statesman that Demos deserves the best, and it has got it. I hugely look forward to working with Richard in a ongoing partnership with Demos.”

Notes
Richard takes up his post in September. Catherine Fieschi will continue to work with Demos as a Senior Associate.


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About the author
Sunny Hundal is editor of LC. Also: on Twitter, at Pickled Politics and Guardian CIF.
· Other posts by Sunny Hundal

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Reader comments


Woohoo. That’d be cool, I like Richard, met him at an event, damn good writer and a proper Liberal, knows his stuff as well.

This has now been announced.

Good luck to Richard, who I think will do a good job.

But an appointment within 24 hours of it becoming known that Catherine Fieschi had resigned means that there doesn’t seem to be any hint of an open competition or advertisement for the post. Is that good for equal opportunities, or indeed for getting the best person and ideas?

Perhaps Richard Reeves would have been the best possible candidate. But this does seem to be an approach which would favour a candidate who happens to know the Demos board well.

Don’t Demos promote openness and transparency on these sorts of issues? Will they be able to in future?

I think companies usually benefit more from a quick decision like this to minimise uncertainty*, which can be deadly to employee morale. As is often the case when it comes to economic decisions, it is better to watch how people act rather than what they talk about in theory :)

* I suppose those benefits would be somewhat nullified if they keep resigning their directors at the rate they have been doing recently.


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