We’re delighted to welcome Jake Eliot, former Director of Research, Policy and Communications at Pro Bono Economics, to Parli-training’s faculty. Jake brings two decades of experience turning evidence into impact across government, industry and the social sector.
Eliot arrives at Parli-training following his role leading PBE’s multidisciplinary research, policy and communications directorate — a team of economists, analysts and researchers working across charity, government, business and philanthropic sectors to tackle the deep-rooted causes of low well-being in the UK. His work blended strategic oversight with hands-on delivery: shaping national research programmes, advising leaders across public and private sectors, and advocating for evidence-driven policy making in Whitehall, the media and beyond.
Before joining PBE, Eliot served as Head of Policy at the National Lottery Heritage Fund, where he led an 18-strong team through one of the most turbulent periods for the UK’s cultural and visitor economy. His work helped reshape the Fund’s strategic direction during the pandemic, developing new propositions on place-making, green space, digital engagement and community-led heritage investment. He also steered major stakeholder relationships across governments in all four UK nations, positioning heritage as a driver of inclusion and economic resilience.
His earlier career reflects a consistent thread: improving lives through better policy, clearer communication and stronger systems. At the Money and Pensions Service, Eliot led corporate policy and digital propositions during the formation of the new Single Financial Guidance Body, working with regulators, industry and Whitehall departments to improve financial capability. At the Money Advice Service, he helped deliver the landmark £11 million What Works Fund, shaping experimental approaches to consumer support and financial behaviour change.
Eliot’s foundation in housing, integration and social inclusion began at the National Housing Federation, where he led teams influencing legislation, securing changes to the Care Bill, winning major cross-government partnerships, and building new models for collaboration between housing, health and care sectors. His early work at NCVO—designing organisational development programmes, commissioning research and advising charities—laid the groundwork for a career defined by clarity, purpose and impact.
Across these roles, a consistent skill set emerges: purposeful strategy, impact-led analysis, persuasive communication, and development-focused team leadership. Eliot is known for building collaborative partnerships across sectors, designing programmes that respond directly to user needs, and distilling complex evidence into accessible narratives that influence policy and practice.
“We are pleased to welcome Jake to our team — a practitioner whose depth of experience in evidence-led policy making, strategy and cross-sector leadership will be a major resource for our learners. In the training room, his insight is not only retained but enriched, helping professionals engage with public policy and organisational impact with greater clarity, confidence and ambition.” Eliot’s arrival strengthens Parli-training’s growing focus on training programmes that meet the vocational needs of people working in policy making, strategy and public affairs. And it reinforces something core to the organisation’s ethos: that the most valuable learning comes from those who have lived the challenge, shaped the systems and delivered the outcomes.
Paul will be leading our Introduction to Policy Making course taking place on Thursday 18th December 2025