Our people
Gorka Espiau
Director, Agirre Lehendakaria Center for Social and Political Studies
Gorka was director of International Affairs at The Young Foundation and a senior fellow at the Agirre Lehendakaria Center for Social and Political Studies. He is also a founding partner of Social Innovation Laboratory Koop, a Social Innovation Exchange (SIX) country ambassador, and a member of the International Advisory Group of INCORE (University of Ulster and United Nations University).
Gudrun Schimpf
University of Heidelberg
Helen Goulden OBE
Chief Executive Officer
Helen leads our multi-disciplinary team of researchers and innovators to support stronger communities across the UK. Previous roles were at Nesta, in the private sector, and in government. She was awarded an OBE for services to development of sustainable communities in the 2023 New Year Honours List.
Dr Henry Kippin
CEO, North of Tyne Combined Authority
Henry is a Strategic Adviser to The Young Foundation. He was formerly an executive director at the West Midlands Combined Authority, responsible for its work on inclusive growth, public service reform, climate change and digital.
Holly Smith
Civic Scholar
Holly is a PhD student at University College London, where her thesis looks at community action. She has a focus on high-rise estates in Britain from 1967 to 2015. An interest in social justice is at the heart of her research.