Vicki Purewal

Vicki joined Nesta in 2003 and currently heads up challenge prize design at the Centre for Challenge Prizes. The Centre, which launched in April 2012, aims to bring together expertise and interest in challenge prizes to help build understanding of how these prizes can play an effective and strategic role in the stimulation and support of innovation.

Vicki is an expert in programme design and on challenge prizes.  Since joining Nesta she has been responsible for designing and delivering several major programmes to encourage, support and reward innovation. These programmes have covered a broad range of topics including creativity in learning, community innovation, the environment and public services. 

From 2007-09 she led the design and delivery of the Big Green Challenge, a £1 million prize to incentivise and support community-led innovation in response to climate change. This challenge prize was one of the first for social innovation and has received international recognition for its programme design and success. 

Other programmes Vicki has worked on include the Learning programme, Innovation Challenges, Neighbourhood Challenge, Transforming Early Years and Creative Councils. Her work at Nesta has also covered cross-programme evaluation and reporting, and the set-up of new programme teams and processes.

Prior to Nesta, Vicki worked for four years in the performing arts sector as a fundraiser, manager and writer, as well as performing in and supporting dance projects in the UK and Europe.  She has a first class honours degree in Dance Theatre and an MA covering aesthetics, visual design for dance, and cultural politics.