We are delighted to be welcoming Sir Simon Clarke, Director of Onward as guest speaker at a Whitehall Group lunch on Wednesday, 1st October. During lunch (12.30 – 2.30pm) Sir Simon will discuss “A return to 1976? How Britain can escape the doom loop” reflecting on Onward’s three core programmes: Renewing our Social Contract, Reshaping the State, and Rebuilding our Economy.
Sir Simon Clarke is a leading Conservative thinker and the current director of the centre-right think tank Onward. Born and raised in Teesside, he studied History at Oxford before entering politics, where he quickly established himself as one of the party’s rising voices.
Elected as MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland in 2017, Simon climbed the ministerial ladder at speed, holding senior posts in the Treasury and later serving as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Along the way, he became known for his focus on economic growth, housing reform, and his deep belief in opportunity for all parts of the UK.
In 2023, he was knighted for his service, and after leaving Parliament in 2024, he took on the leadership of Onward. Today, he spends his time developing bold ideas to tackle Britain’s biggest challenges — from helping more people onto the housing ladder to restoring a sense of fairness between generations.
For further information on the Whitehall Group and it’s events please contact Fiona Jones at fionajones.wg@culandsoc.com
