Elizabeth Hurley

Deputy Director, Analysis and Insight Unit, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)

Elizabeth Hurley job-shared with fellow CSaP Fellow Emily Cattell in a multi-disciplinary central analytical team responsible for over 40 people. Core functions of the team included providing analytical assurance and improving VFM and analytical business cases across Defra; overseeing expert advice on Behavioural Insights, Evaluation and Operational Research; delivering core cross cutting analytical and strategic projects; and supporting and developing the analytical profession within Defra.

Elizabeth is also the Deputy Chief Economist, responsible for working with the Chief Economist to lead the profession and provide support and economic advice and sign-off across Defra.

Previously, Elizabeth was economics director for NHS Improvement as part of a leadership team whose remit encompassed the overall strategy, functioning and welfare of an Economics unit. Elizabeth supported the development of economists; promoted a positive and collaborative team culture and ensured the team most effectively supported the organisation’s objectives.

Her responsibilities included delivering a portfolio of complex analytical and economics projects to improve evidence base and support policy and decision making in healthcare. These included applying principles of economics and economic regulation; problem-solving; setting direction and objectives for teams; managing key internal and external stakeholder relationships; and communicating the findings with impact. Elizabeth also established and led NHS Improvement’s Behavioural Insights function.

Elizabeth has a postgraduate diploma in Competition Law from Kings College London. Prior to that she completed a Masters degree in Economics and Social Policy Analysis and Undergraduate degree in History with Economics, both from York University.