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United Kingdom Will Hutton has transitioned from a successful career in economic journalism to a prominent role in academia and public commentary, actively shaping discussions on contemporary economic and social issues.
Will Hutton writes for the Observer, a British newspaper, contributing articles and columns.
Will Hutton is co-chair of the Purposeful Company, an organization focused on overseeing work related to its mission, and leading its Steering Group.
Will Hutton served as Principal of Hertford College, University of Oxford, for nine years before retiring in August 2020.
Will Hutton is the President of the Academy of Social Sciences, and the president-designate as of 2022.
Will Hutton contributed to OpenUK's thought leadership with an article titled 'This time no Mistakes in Tech', discussing the economic dominance of big companies.
Will Hutton is a Mr. (member) of the Ditchley Foundation, serving as President of the Academy of Social Sciences, Co-chair the Purposeful Company, and Chair, Editorial Advisory Board of the Fairness Foundation, and Presenter of the We Society podcast.
Will Hutton was chief executive of The Work Foundation (formerly the Industrial Society) from 2000 to 2008.
Will Hutton co-founded the Big Innovation Centre, an initiative from the Work Foundation.
Will Hutton is a governor of the London School of Economics.
Will Hutton is a visiting professor at the University of Manchester Business School.
Will Hutton is a visiting professor at the University of Bristol.
Will Hutton is a visiting fellow at Mansfield College, Oxford.
Will Hutton is a shareholder of the Scott Trust Limited, which owns the Guardian Media Group.
Will Hutton is a member of the Design Council's Millennium Commission.
Will Hutton sits on the European Advisory Board of Princeton University Press.
Will Hutton has contributed essays and memoirs to Granta, including 'Playing the Game: The Takeover'.
William Nicolas Hutton, born on May 21, 1950, in Woolwich, London, is an English journalist, political economist, and author. His early education began in Scotland at Bishopton Primary School and Paisley Grammar School, before his family relocated to Kent, where he attended Southborough Lane County Primary School and later Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School. He continued his academic pursuits at the University of Bristol, studying sociology and economics, and later earned an MBA from INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France. These foundational experiences in education and finance provided the basis for his career.
Hutton’s career trajectory includes ten years with the BBC, notably serving as economics correspondent for Newsnight from 1983 to 1988. He held significant editorial positions, including editor-in-chief of The Observer and director of Guardian National Newspapers. From 2000 to 2008, he served as chief executive of The Work Foundation (formerly the Industrial Society). A notable achievement was his appointment as Principal of Hertford College, Oxford, in 2011, a role he held until his retirement in August 2020. Throughout these roles, Hutton consistently engaged with economic and social policy, influencing public discourse through his writings and leadership positions.
As an author, Hutton is known for influential works such as ‘The State We’re In’ (1995) and ‘The World We’re In’ (2002), which provided critical analyses of British and global economies. He has consistently contributed columns to The Observer and is co-chair of the Purposeful Company, advocating for thoughtful economic and social development. His work regularly addresses themes of social democracy, stakeholder capitalism, and the dynamics of global economic power, as evidenced by his extensive published articles and books.
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