The government is seeking representatives from the voluntary sector to join a new external advisory group on the impact economy.
In its announcement this week, the government invited people with experience working with grassroots organisations, trusts and foundations and those across the voluntary and charity sector to apply.
It also said it sought representatives from financial institutions and purpose-driven businesses of any size to join the Impact Economy Advisory Council.
Council members will be unpaid and expected to have a “deep understanding of the impact economy in the UK today”.
The council will meet quarterly in the Cabinet Office from this autumn and advise the government in conjunction with the Office for the Impact Economy.
Launched by the prime minister in December 2025, the Office for Impact Economy aims to provide “a single front door” for new impact economy and strategic relationships.
The government said the impact economy is “a diverse ecosystem of purposeful organisations and capital” that aims to deliver a strong and sustainable economy, and can include philanthropists, impact investors and purpose-driven businesses.
Some people, including Social Enterprise UK’s chief executive Peter Holbrook and former Charity Commission board member Andrew Purkis, have raised concerns about how broad and unclear the definition of the “impact economy” is.
Council will create ‘a forum for bold thinking’
The government said the new council will advise on policy, strategy and engagement activity related to growing the impact economy.
It could provide a voice in government for the impact economy as a whole, “ensuring that continuous and long-term workstreams stay aligned with its needs”.
The council will be supported by a small, dedicated team in the Office for the Impact Economy as secretariat.
“Senior decision-makers from across government and the civil service will attend on an ad-hoc basis, creating a forum for bold thinking about how to maximise the opportunities to work more effectively with the impact economy across every part of government,” the government said.
Applicants have until 6 August to express their interest.
