Midway through 2025, we welcomed Natalie Evans, Baroness Evans of Bowes Park, to our Board as a Non-Executive Director. Baroness Evans brings a wealth of political and leadership experience to CPI, having served as Leader of the House of Lords from 2016 to 2022 – the longest serving holder of the role in 70 years and its youngest-ever female leader. She has also held ministerial roles across education, justice, work, and pensions, and now serves on several national boards, including Salix and the London Marathon Foundation.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and career so far?

I’ve spent much of my career working in and around government and public policy. I joined the House of Lords in 2014 and served as a Minister in David Cameron’s Government before becoming Leader of the House of Lords – a role I held for 6 years under both Theresa May and Boris Johnson. It was an extraordinary experience, giving me insight into how decisions are made and how policy connects with people and businesses across the country.

Before entering government, I led the New Schools Network, where I supported the establishment of hundreds of Free Schools across England. Earlier in my career, I worked with organisations like Policy Exchange and the British Chambers of Commerce, which deepened my understanding of how to bring together different sectors to make things happen.

How do you see your experience in government and policy contributing to your role as a Non Executive Director at CPI?

One of the most valuable things I bring is an understanding of how policy and politics interact with business, academia and innovation. CPI already plays a vital role in helping innovators and companies turn ideas into real-world impact, and I hope my experience will help us tell that story more effectively – both to government and to the wider public.

I’m also keen to help CPI navigate the policy environment, ensuring our expertise and impact are recognised at the highest levels. There’s huge potential to raise awareness of the difference CPI makes to the UK economy, particularly in regions like the North East of England that are driving manufacturing, science, and innovation.

Innovation is often described as key to the UK’s future prosperity. What opportunities and challenges do you see for organisations like CPI?

Innovation is by its nature challenging – some things will work brilliantly, others won’t – but that’s exactly why organisations like CPI are so important. The UK has world-class researchers and entrepreneurs, but we haven’t always been as strong at taking their ideas through to commercial success. CPI helps to close that gap by providing the facilities, expertise and networks that small companies and start-ups need to scale their ideas.

The challenge, particularly in the current climate, is ensuring that the value of this work is understood and supported. Public finances are limited, so it’s essential that we can demonstrate the return on investment – the jobs, growth and innovation that CPI enables – so that policymakers and funders continue to back this kind of activity.

Collaboration is central to CPI’s model. What do you think makes cross-sector collaboration truly effective?

It really comes down to shared purpose, trust and communication. When people from government, industry and academia understand one another’s goals and constraints, they can work together far more effectively. It’s also about showing delivery – the tangible results of collaboration – because that builds confidence and attracts others to get involved.

Case studies and success stories are incredibly powerful in encouraging new partners to join the journey. They show that collaboration works, even for organisations that might be approaching it for the first time or from different perspectives.

What are you most looking forward to contributing as part of CPI’s Board?

CPI is a forward-looking organisation that helps shape the technologies, businesses, and jobs of the future. I’m excited to support that mission by helping CPI strengthen its voice and visibility and by bringing my experience of policy, governance, and communication to the Board’s discussions.

I’m also looking forward to supporting the team as they continue to build new partnerships, both across the UK and internationally, so that CPI can keep driving innovation, sustainability and growth for many years to come.