Closing panel

2.45pm

Room: Main room

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Shared interests?

The Summit will close with a discussion of the frontiers we are yet to cross: what can and should be the interface between the private, charity and public sectors in community wealth building? Our panel will hear from Chris Ko on how charitable organisation United Way of Greater Los Angeles are exploring community wealth building as an approach to bridge the gap between the private, public and charity sectors in the US. Our panel will discuss Chris’ insight and discuss what can be learned from the US experience and what it means for how we think about the role of the private sector in an inclusive economy. Can shareholder-owned businesses ever become anchor institutions in a place? And is there a role for anchor networks to act as a conduit for business and the public sector to develop their shared interests in a way that furthers economic justice?

Sarah Longlands has been the Chief Executive of CLES since 2021, having previously been the organisations’ Director of Policy from 2007-2011. She is an expert in regional and local economic development and argues for economic and social justice and the creation of places which enable people to live good lives. Prior to (re!) joining CLES, Sarah was Director of IPPR North, the dedicated think tank for the North of England and began her career in local government, working in County Durham and North Yorkshire. She has a PhD in Urban Studies from the University of Glasgow.

Chris Ko is the Vice President, Impact & Strategy for the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, managing Home For Good, LA’s collective plan to end homelessness. In this role, he leads California’s largest community-based effort to end homelessness and developed the Coordinated Entry System, which went on to become a national model. The Coro Foundation named Chris a Public Affairs Leadership fellow through which he worked for the LA District Attorney, SEIU, KPCC, and LAUSD. Previously, he served on the boards of Coro Southern CA and the Supply Education Group.

Mark Cook is a partner at Anthony Collins Solicitors and has advised local authorities, housing associations, and central government on collaborative working for over 30 years. He provides strategic advice on models for transforming public services and is an expert in the area of social value as a core feature in public services procurement.

Danielle Cohen is Associate Director, Portfolio Management at Power to Change, where she is responsible for leadership and oversight of delivery of work as well as engagement with local and regional government and other funders working at the sub-national level.

Jodie Eastwood is the Chief Executive of London’s Knowledge Quarter, a consortium of knowledge creators within a one mile radius of Kings Cross, including over 100 academic, cultural, research, scientific and media organisations. The aim of the KQ is to encourage all kinds of knowledge seekers to make the most of the partners’ combined resources. Jodie has been working within the Knowledge economy for the past 20 years, with roles at the British Library, Creativeworks London, Queen Mary University of London, London Metropolitan University and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.