James Purnell

• Chair of Trustees
  Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)

Degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, Balliol College, University of Oxford. 1990-92, Researcher to Tony Blair, the then Shadow Employment Secretary; 1992-93, Strategic Consultant, Hydra Associates, specialised in media and telecommunications; 1993-95, Research Fellow on Media and Communications, Institute for Public Policy Research; 1994-95, Councillor, London Borough of Islington; 1995-97, Head, Corporate Planning, BBC; 1997-2001, Special Adviser, on culture, media and sport and knowledge economy, to UK Prime Minister; 2001-10, Member of Parliament for Stalybridge and Hyde; 2004-09, Minister, including: Secretary of State for Work and Pensions; Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport; Minister of State for Pensions; Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Creative Industries and Tourism; Assistant Government Whip.