The Nuffield Foundation has appointed the chair of the Living Wage Commission and former Number 10 Downing Street staffer Gavin Kelly as its next chief executive.

Kelly joins the funder, which awarded grants totalling £11.7m last year, in January 2025.

He joins from the Resolution Foundation where he is currently executive chair and chief executive of the Resolution Trust.

Before joining the Resolution Foundation he spent more than a decade in Whitehall, including a stint as deputy chief of staff at No. 10 Downing Street. He also held senior roles in the Department for Education, HM Treasury and within the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit.

The Living Wage Commission sets the UK and London “real living wage rates” and its members are appointed by the Living Wage Foundation.

“Gavin has an outstanding track record of leadership in public policy and in government, and we feel confident he will be a tremendous asset to our work at a crucial moment of challenge and opportunity,” said Nuffield Foundation chair Keith Burnett.

“The Nuffield Foundation has worked in impactful ways to improve people’s lives, jobs, education, and justice for over 80 years, and our collaboration with researchers, policymakers, and practitioners brings evidence to complex issues.”

“I’ve long admired the role that the Nuffield Foundation plays in backing research and innovation that improves lives in so many different ways, so I’m greatly honoured to be appointed as chief executive,” said Kelly, who replaces Tim Gardem.

“Throughout my career – both in government and in the wider research and policy community – I’ve seen first-hand the power of evidence to transform policy and practice for the better.

“I’m excited about the role that the Nuffield Foundation can play in the years ahead supporting and pioneering work that will help the country address key social, economic, and technological challenges. I’m looking forward to getting started in January and working closely with trustees and the staff.”

---