Our team
We are currently recruiting for a Senior Researcher and an Operations Manager.
Annabel Smith
As Director of the Growth and Reform Network, Annabel is responsible for leading the development and strategic direction of the network.
Before establishing the network, Annabel spent four years incubating and delivering its predecessor, the Inclusive Growth Network, which supported 14 local and combined authorities across the UK to translate inclusive growth from theory to practice.
Prior to this, she served as a political advisor to former mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, and played a leading role in developing the Bristol One City Approach. She holds a number of advisory positions.
Rosie Fogden
Rosie is an experienced economist and policy professional having worked in think tanks and central government since 2014. Rosie is now Deputy Director of the Growth and Reform Network and oversees the development of our policy and evidence base on what works at local level to inform national policy as well as delivering the vision and strategic direction of the network.
In government, Rosie worked as a Senior Economist in the Cabinet Office on public procurement and business case approval. She has also held several other government positions, including at HM Treasury
Rosie’s areas of expertise include childcare, good work, public service reform, public health and inclusive economics.
Tasmin Summers
Tasmin Summers is the Operations Manager at the Growth and Reform Network, bringing over a decade of experience in administration, event coordination, and project management.
In 2024, she graduated with First Class Honours in Philosophy, Ethics, and Religion, driven by a desire to deepen her understanding of the moral and ethical dimensions of contemporary global issues. Tasmin aims to combine her academic insights with her practical expertise to contribute meaningfully to policy development and reform.
Her role at the Growth and Reform Network allows her to do exactly that; working at the intersection of logistics and strategy in a think tank dedicated to creating tangible, positive change.
Matthew Davis
Matthew leads the Network's programming and relationship with its members, working to ensure impact across the GRN's themes of inclusive growth, public service reform, and impactful devolution.
Prior to joining the GRN to lead its network and programme delivery, Matthew was a Director at the Institute of Place Management where he worked with MHCLG to support high streets and communities across the UK, delivering on place-based funds such as the Shared Prosperity Fund, and as part of the leadership group for the High Streets Task Force.
Matthew has also supported our partner Metro Dynamics' work advising combined authorities on local growth plan formation and interactions with the 2025 Comprehensive Spending Review.
Catherine Riachi
Catherine is the Communications and Engagement Officer at the Growth and Reform Network. She graduated in 2023 with First Class Honours in Politics and International Relations and has since built experience in communications and engagement through roles at Policy@Manchester and the Institute for Government. In these positions, she facilitated discussions between academics, policymakers, and local stakeholders while leading communications planning and events delivery for national and local policy audiences.
Catherine has a strong interest in international affairs, conflict resolution, and human rights, with particular focus on Europe and the MENA region.
Ben Lucas
Ben is Chair of the Growth and Reform Network and Founding Director at our partners Metro Dyanmics where he leads major strategy projects across the UK. He is an expert on the political and economic drivers that are needed for growth and how to shape narratives that best reflect these. He advises places on governance, inclusive growth and how best to work with Westminster and Whitehall.
Ben has worked with Ministers, Officials and Local Government Leaders on a range of public policy issues, including two highly influential Commissions, the 2020 Public Services Commission and the RSA City Growth Commission. He is a Policy Associate at the Future Governance Forum, a member of the Evidence to Impact Committee of Foundations, The What Works Centre for Children and Families, and Founding Director of The Power Test podcast.
Hamida Ali
Hamida is Head of Learning and Practice at partners Future Governance Forum and has over 20 years' experience of addressing equality and diversity in public sector organisations including local and regional government, the criminal justice system, public service broadcasting and the trade union movement.
Hamida served as a councillor for Woodside ward in the London Borough of Croydon from 2014-2022. In October 2020, Hamida was elected as Leader of the Council and responsible for steering the council through a period of significant turbulence prompted by serious financial and governance problems. Since standing down as a councillor, Hamida has delivered leadership development programmes for councillors in leading roles for the Local Government Association.
Nathan Yeowell
Nathan is the Founder and Director of the Future Governance Forum, partners of the Growth and Reform Network. Previous to FGF, he was the Director of Progress, and then the Executive Director of Progressive Britain, between 2019 and 2023.
Nathan was previously Head of Policy and External Affairs at the social sector think tank New Philanthropy Capital (NPC), Strategic Policy Adviser at the London Borough of Sutton, Head of the Labour Group Office at the Local Government Association (LGA), and an analyst at the BBC Political Research Unit in Westminster. Elected to Torfaen County Borough Council in 2022, he is currently Chair of the Greater Gwent Pension Fund. He is the editor of Rethinking Labour’s Past (2022) and a contributor to The Times, New Statesman and The Guardian.
Elizabeth Hopkins
Elizabeth is an experienced policy consultant, having worked in social and economic policy in central government, parliament and public affairs. She is a Principal Consultant at GRN partners Metro Dynamics, whose work includes designing local growth funding and strategies. She was previously a senior researcher for the former Shadow Health Secretary, and prior to that worked in health and NHS policy.
Elizabeth applies experience in local economic and public service policy to support places to deliver inclusive growth and build great places to live and work. As a policy associate with the Future Governance Forum, Elizabeth collaborates with the think tank on devolution and regional economic growth policy development for national government.