Tamsin Cooper

As Managing Director, I am responsible for the day-to-day running of the Forward Institute, overseeing our strategy, day-to-day operations, and network of Associate Directors, expert advisers, and facilitators. I also lead our work with the public and social sectors, investing in our partners, tailoring leadership propositions, and designing bespoke interventions that help leaders navigate transformation. I work directly with Executive Teams, Boards, and CEOs as a strategic adviser and facilitator, helping them align leadership and strategy to create lasting change.

Over the past two decades, I’ve worked in and around governments at both UK and European levels. My expertise lies in understanding and influencing the political, budgetary, commercial and regulatory levers that enable change, and in guiding leaders to act with purpose and ambition through disruption and uncertainty.

My career has included consulting to the European Commission on EU Budgetary Reform, leading a non-partisan think tank on climate and energy, and heading the UK Government’s National Food Strategy - a cross-government review building shared purpose across all sectors and citizens to reimagine the food system.

Beyond the Forward Institute, I serve as Co-Chair of Chefs in Schools, a national charity transforming school food and food education to ensure every child eats well and learns about nutritious and delicious food, and as Chair of Ag-Impact, a not-for-profit organisation amplifying the real-world impact of agricultural research and innovation.

Food — as a connector, a source of joy and inspiration, and as a giver of health and wellbeing — sits at my core.