Ben founded Centre for London in 2011. He is an urbanist, researcher, writer and speaker, with a particular interest in urban life, citizenship, public service reform and the built environment.

Previously Ben was an Associate Director of IPPR for five years and subsequently led strategy teams at Haringey Council, the Department for Local Government and Communities and the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit, where he wrote the government’s strategy on ‘Quality of Place’.

Ben is the author of several acclaimed books on philosophy, history and democracy, and an experienced journalist and broadcaster. He has been a Contributing Editor to Prospect Magazine, a visiting fellow at the Royal Society of Arts and a member of the London Finance Commission, chaired by Professor Tony Travers. Ben is also a trustee of The Yard Theatre.