About Nesta

Nesta is a research and innovation foundation. We apply our deep expertise in applied methods to design, test and scale solutions to some of the biggest challenges of our time, working across the innovation lifecycle.

Lauren Bowes Byatt

Lauren is a deputy director of the healthy life mission.

Her team is focused on working across public, private and non-profit sectors to deliver innovative solutions that tackle obesity and loneliness in the UK.

Lauren joined Nesta from the Cabinet Office where she worked as Head of Planning and Coordination in the COVID-19 task force. She was responsible for supporting Number 10 decision-making on COVID-19 and organising key COVID-19 policy moments, from implementing national lockdowns to delivering the government's Spring Summer and Autumn Winter roadmaps. During this time, she was also deployed to NHS England's COVID-19 vaccination programme where she helped on delivery of the 'Get Boosted Now' campaign.

Prior to this, Lauren held strategy roles within the Home Office and Cabinet Office. At the Cabinet Office, she oversaw the creation and delivery of the government's Loneliness strategy. Lauren joined the Civil Service as a social researcher after working as an analyst in the private sector in both market research and publishing industries.

Outside of work Lauren enjoys yoga, visiting art galleries and eating out. She is also a trustee for the charity Hestia.