A key adviser to Jo Johnson at BEIS and DfE, Westlake’s influence can be seen across most of JJ’s policy interventions in science and research. His background is in business innovation, with stints at Nesta and McKinsey alongside authorship of a wide range of research reports.
With the ear of the minister, and his hands on the metaphorical tiller of English higher education, we can expect him to play a key behind-the-scenes role over the coming year. It is refreshing and notable that the minister has hired a wonk rather than a party ideologue, as his principal advisor. Westlake is also due to publish a book on innovation in November.