Trusted expert in the analysis of science, innovation & space with deep understanding of public policy and funding decision-making.

Will has focused his career on the economics and analysis of science, innovation and space. As the UK Space Agency’s Chief Economist (2015-17), he built the Agency’s analytical function and spearheaded the application of cutting-edge appraisal techniques to the space sector. As Head of Policy Analysis at UK Research & Innovation (2017-19), he then built and led a team of ten economists, social researchers, statisticians and data scientists, working to ensure organisational decisions on use of the £8bn+ UKRI annual budget were underpinned by the best evidence. He has also worked in Brussels for EU institutions and for other UK national and regional public agencies & departments. He has led and delivered multi-billion pound business cases, evaluations, impact assessments and other analytical studies, building a reputation as an expert at producing hard-hitting, robust and credible analysis.

He holds an M.Sc. in Economics from University College London and an M.A. (Hons) in Economics from the University of Edinburgh.