The global economy is changing. Countries are using trade, technology, energy and investment to compete with and put pressure on each other - making economic security an increasingly important part of government policy. With Andy Burnham now two-thirds through his first 100 days as prime minister, how can he make sure the UK economy is more secure in the face of geopolitical uncertainty?

To dive into this question, Nesta CEO Ravi Gurumurthy sat down with Jonathan Black, former Deputy National Security Adviser and senior government official, on our deep-dive series from the Policy Fix podcast: Andy Burnham’s first 100 days.

They discuss how the UK can manage its economic relationships with the US, China and Europe, while reducing its reliance on countries and technologies that could leave it exposed.

The conversation explores the difficult choices facing government on industrial policy, energy, technology and trade - and how to weigh economic interests against national security, jobs and other priorities.

They also discuss how government can get better at making these kinds of decisions, including working more closely with business, bringing together expertise and giving the centre of government a clearer role in thinking about the UK's long-term interests.

So, as Andy Burnham approaches the end of his first 100 days, what can he do to make the UK economy more secure for the long term? Listen to the latest episode of Policy Fix wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the full episode on YouTube to find out.

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Jonathan Black

Jonathan Black served as the Prime Minister’s G7/G20 sherpa and deputy national security adviser (2019-2026), including during the UK’s Presidencies of the G7 and COP26 in 2021. He was deputy head of the Europe Unit at the Cabinet Office and one of the UK’s principal Brexit negotiators (2017-2019). He has also held a number of senior roles at HM Treasury on economic and international policy, including press secretary to George Osborne (2011-2014) and private secretary to chancellors of the exchequer Gordon Brown and Alastair Darling (2005-2007). He also served as the UK director of the European Investment Bank and alternate director at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. He is an emeritus governor at the London School of Economics.

Ravi Gurumurthy, group chief executive officer, Nesta

Ravi Gurumurthy is group chief executive officer, joining Nesta as chief executive in December 2019. Nesta’s mission is to design, test and scale solutions to society's biggest challenges, from sustainability and health to educational inequality.

Ravi also leads the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), often known as the ‘Nudge Unit’. BIT has grown from a small team in No 10 Downing Street to a 250-person global social purpose consultancy and a subsidiary of Nesta.

Prior to joining Nesta, Ravi co-founded and led the Airbel Innovation Lab at the International Rescue Committee. He was responsible for designing new products and services for people affected by crises in over 40 countries.

Ravi worked in the UK government from 1999 to 2013. He was an adviser and speechwriter to Foreign Secretary David Miliband, leading the creation of Every Child Matters and the Children Act 2004, and the world’s first legally binding climate legislation.

Ravi has held a number of non-executive roles, including lead non-executive director for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero.