History of PBE

Pro Bono Economics is formed by Andy Haldane and Martin Brookes in March. Official launch at the Treasury in September with support from Cabinet Secretary Gus O’Donnell and other key figures.

Sue Holloway appointed as PBE’s first Director in September, starting with two full-time staff members.

Julia Grant becomes Chief Executive in 2016, overseeing PBE’s expansion.

Gus O’Donnell becomes Chair of Trustees.

83 organisations supported, two public events held.

PBE celebrates its 10th anniversary with a lecture from Andy Haldane at The Royal Society, having worked with 500 volunteer economists.

Matt Whittaker becomes CEO.

193 organisations supported. 1 public event held

PBE builds an in-house research and economist team, changes its operating model and expands its services.

Andy Haldane announced as President of PBE, which now has a team of 20 permanent staff.

9 public events including the Labour and Civil Society Summit.

New three-year strategy; new mission to end low wellbeing in the UK. Following a rebranding exercise designed to ensure our profile matches the organisation we’ve evolved into, we become PBE.

We supported a total of 163 charities, broke through the 1,000 mark in active economist volunteers and achieved policy cut-through in a range of areas, including the launch of the Civil Society Covenant.

Work starts on PBE’s next strategic phase, informed by a determination to empower more charities, unleash more of the potential of civil society, and spread wider the use of economics for good.