Tony Wilson
MA (Hons), FRSA, FIEP
Institute Director
tony.wilson@employment-studies.co.uk
Tony has worked in employment policy and research for the last twenty years, in a range of roles spanning central government and independent institutes. As Institute Director at IES, Tony leads a team of fifty people delivering research, analysis and consultancy support on employment, skills, education and HR. He has particular expertise in labour market policy and analysis; the design, delivery and evaluation of employment and skills programmes and supporting organisations to understand and apply evidence of ‘what works’ in employment policy and service delivery.
Prior to joining IES in October 2018, Tony was Director of Research and Development at the Learning and Work Institute, and before that a Director at the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion. Between 2001 and 2011 he worked on employment, skills and welfare in the Department for Work and Pensions, Jobcentre Plus and HM Treasury. While in government this included leading on the design and implementation of a number of employment programmes during the financial crisis including the Future Jobs Fund; supporting David Freud on his independent review of 'welfare to work' in 2007, and latterly working as Head of employment policy at HM Treasury in the early years of the Coalition government where he advised Treasury Ministers on the labour market and public policy.
Outside of work, Tony enjoys walking and kayaking with the family, and most years trying to make wine from grapes in the garden (the kids help with that too).
Education
2000 | Selwyn College, University of Cambridge | MA, History |
Career
2018- |
Director, Institute for Employment Studies |
2016-2018 |
Director of Policy and Research, Learning and Work Institute |
2011-2016 |
Director of Policy and Research, Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion |
2010-2011 |
Head of Employment Policy, HM Treasury |
2009-2010 |
Head of Employment Projects, Department for Work and Pensions |
2008-2009 |
Senior Adviser to Director of Welfare to Work, Department for Work and Pensions |
2005-2008 |
Team Leader, Department for Work and Pensions |
2001-2005 |
Department for Work and Pensions Fast Stream |
Research publications
- Over-50s employment support, Bajorek Z, Dewar L, Wilson T, , Institute for Employment Studies , Oct 2023
- Slides: IES HR Directors' Retreat 2023, Wilson T, Foot C, Stevenson R, Clark M, Slattery D, , Institute for Employment Studies , Oct 2023
- Meeting Central London's Skill Needs, Williams M, Wilson T, Muir D, Talbot J, Brindle B, , Central London Forward, Aug 2023
- Work in Progress: Interim report of the Commission on the Future of Employment Support, Campbell B, Dave A, Patel R, Plowden Roberts C, Wilson T, , Institute for Employment Studies , Jul 2023
- Costs of living impacts in Greater Brighton, Wilson T, Williams M, Cook J, , Institute for Employment Studies, Feb 2023
- Webinar & slides: Working for the Future, , Institute for Employment Studies , Dec 2022
- Building opportunity , Alexander K, Evans S, Wilson T, , Institute for Employment Studies, Dec 2022
- Employment and Opportunity in the UK, Wilson T, Muir D, , Institute for Employment Studies, Nov 2022
- Working for the Future, Wilson T, Patel R, Edwards M, Mason B, Muir D, , Institute for Employment Studies, Nov 2022
- Webinar: improving outcomes for young people: what next for policy-makers?, Orlando C, Wilson T, , Institute for Employment Studies , Oct 2022
- Improving outcomes for young people, Orlando C, Wilson T, , Institute for Employment Studies, Oct 2022
- Crisis? What crisis?, Wilson T, , Institute for Employment Studies , Sep 2022
- LGA Good Work Project , Allen A, Orlando C, Wilson T, Higlett D-M, , Institute for Employment Studies, Aug 2022
- Behavioural insights in employment services, Subosa M, Mansour J, Wilson T, , Institute for Employment Studies / ReAct , Jul 2022
- Work Local: labour market analysis, Wilson T, Williams M , , Institute for Employment Studies , May 2022
- Slides: The IES Annual Conference 2022 , Wilson T, Parry E, Lucy D, Orlando C, Williams J,, , Institute for Employment Studies , Apr 2022
- A better future: Transforming jobs and skills for young people post-pandemic , Williams J, Alexander K, Wilson T, Newton B, McNeil C, Jung C, , IES/IPPR, Oct 2021
- Situations vacant: Online job adverts during the crisis and recovery , Cockett J, Wilson T , , Institute for Employment Studies, Jun 2021
- The UK workforce in context: challenges and opportunities, Wilson T, , Institute for Employment Studies , Mar 2021
- An Unequal Crisis: The impact of the pandemic on the youth labour market, Wilson T, Papoutsaki D, , IES/Youth Futures Foundation , Feb 2021
- Laid low, Wilson T, Buzzeo J, , Institute for Employment Studies , Jan 2021
- The impacts of the coronavirus crisis on the labour market, Williams M, Cockett J, Boustati A, Ebanks-Silvera D, Wilson T, , Institute for Employment Studies, Dec 2020
- Labour Market Statistics, November 2020, , Institute for Employment Studies, Nov 2020
- Monthly vacancy analysis: Vacancy trends to week-ending 11 October 2020, Papoutsaki D, Wilson T, , Institute for Employment Studies , Nov 2020
- Labour Market Statistics, October 2020, , Institute for Employment Studies, Oct 2020
- Monthly vacancy analysis: Vacancy trends to week-ending 13 September 2020, Papoutsaki D, Wilson T, , Institute for Employment Studies , Sep 2020
- Labour Market Statistics, September 2020, , Institute for Employment Studies , Sep 2020
- On Notice: Estimating the impact on redundancies of the Covid-19 crisis, , Institute for Employment Studies , Sep 2020
- Monthly vacancy analysis: Vacancy trends to week-ending 9 August 2020, Papoutsaki D, Wilson T, , Institute for Employment Studies , Aug 2020
- Labour Market Statistics, August 2020, , Institute for Employment Studies , Aug 2020
- Labour Market Statistics, July 2020: IES analysis , , Institute for Employment Studies , Jul 2020
- Covid-19 and the low paid: Early analysis of Labour Force Survey, Papoutsaki D, Wilson T, , Institute for Employment Studies , Jul 2020
- Weekly vacancy analysis: Vacancy trends in week-ending 28 June 2020, Wilson T, Papoutsaki D, Williams M, , Institute for Employment Studies , Jul 2020
- Weekly vacancy analysis: Vacancy trends in week-ending 21 June 2020, Papoutsaki D, Williams M, Wilson T, , Institute for Employment Studies, Jun 2020
- Weekly vacancy analysis: Vacancy trends in week-ending 14 June 2020, Williams M, Papoutsaki D, Wilson T, , Institute for Employment Studies, Jun 2020
- Labour Market Statistics, June 2020: IES analysis , , Institute for Employment Studies, Jun 2020
- Weekly vacancy analysis: Vacancy trends in week ending 7 June 2020, Wilson T, Papoutsaki D, Williams M, , Institute for Employment Studies, Jun 2020
- Weekly vacancy analysis: Vacancy trends in week-ending 31 May 2020, Cockett J, Gray H, Papoutsaki D, Williams M, Wilson T, , Institute for Employment Studies, Jun 2020
- Labour Market Statistics, May 2020: Analysis of Claimant Count data , Wilson T, , Institute for Employment Studies, May 2020
- Weekly vacancy analysis: Vacancy trends in week-ending 10 May 2020, Wilson T, Cockett J, Gray H, Papoutsaki D, Williams M, , , Institute for Employment Studies, May 2020
- Weekly vacancy analysis: Vacancy trends in week-ending 3 May 2020, Gray H, Cockett J, Papoutsaki D, Williams M, Wilson T, , , Institute for Employment Studies, May 2020
- Weekly vacancy analysis: Vacancy trends in week-ending 26 April 2020, Cockett J, Papoutsaki D, Williams M, Wilson T, , , Institute for Employment Studies, May 2020
- Weekly vacancy analysis: Vacancy trends in week-ending 19 April 2020, Papoutsaki D, Cockett J, Williams M, Wilson T,, , Institute for Employment Studies, Apr 2020
- Real time vacancy analysis: Early findings on changes in vacancy levels by local area and job type , Wilson T, Papoutsaki D, Cockett J, Williams M, , Institute for Employment Studies, Apr 2020
- Supporting disadvantaged young people into meaningful work, Newton B, Sinclair A, Tyers C, Wilson T, , Institute for Employment Studies, Apr 2020
- Getting back to work, Wilson T, Cockett J, Papoutsaki D, Takala H, , Institute for Employment Studies, Apr 2020
- Getting Back to Work, Wilson T, Cockett J, Papoutsaki D, Takala H, , Institute for Employment Studies, Apr 2020
- Youth Unemployment: A million reasons to act?, Wilson T, Gardiner L, Whitehurst D, Bivand P, , Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion, Feb 2020
- Progression in Employment: A brief overview of policy options and evidence , Wilson T, Lucy D, , Institute for Employment Studies, Feb 2020
- Progression in Employment: A brief overview of policy options and evidence, Wilson T, Lucy D, , Institute for Employment Studies, Feb 2020
- Disability programmes evaluation Northern Ireland, Williams J, Boylan C, Crews A, Curran M, Wilson T, , Department for Communities NI, Dec 2019
- Supporting disadvantaged young unemployed people towards and into meaningful work: An initial evidence review, Newton B, Sinclair A, Tyers C, Wilson, T, , Youth Futures Foundation, Nov 2019
- Greater Brighton Business Survey 2019 Summary report, Wiseman J, Osborne E, Wilson T, , Greater Brighton Economics Board, Oct 2019
- Young People's Future Health Inquiry, Papoutsaki D, Byford M, Wilson T, Newton B, , Institute for Employment Studies, Oct 2019
- Development of options for a new employment offer, Simmonds D, Boylan C, Finn D, Mansour J, Wilson T, , Department for Communities NI, Sep 2019
- Greater Brighton Business Survey: Stage One Report, Williams M, Wilson T, Huxley C, Cockett, J, , Greater Brighton Economics Board, Sep 2019
- Developing a Jobs-Plus Model for the UK, Wilson T, McCallum A, , Learning and Work Institute, Nov 2018
- MyGo evaluation final report, Bennett L, Bivand P, Ray K, Vaid L, Wilson T, , Learning and Work Institute, Oct 2018
- Measuring the impact of Community-Based English Language Provision , Patel A, Hoya C, Bivand P, McCallum A, Stevenson A, Wilson T, , Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Feb 2018
- The Impacts of Welfare Reform, Wilson T, Foster S, , Local Government Association, Jun 2017
- Work Local: Report to the Local Government Association on developing a modern, local, public employment and skills service, Wilson T, Crews A, Mirza K, , Local Government Association , Feb 2017
- Step Up: Year One Learning Report, Wilson T, , Trust for London / Walcot Foundation, Jan 2017
- Addressing barriers to work for disabled people and those with long term health conditions in Brighton & Hove, Bennett L, Ray K, Wilson T, , Brighton and Hove City Council, Aug 2016
- Evaluation of the Universal Support delivered locally trials , Bennett L, Cameron C, Colechin J, McCallum A, Murphy H, Patel A, Wilson T, , Department for Work and Pensions, Apr 2016
- Halving the Gap: Making the Work and Health Programme work for disabled people, Wilson T, , Learning and Work Institute, Feb 2016
- Scotland's Future Employment Services: Literature Review, Wilson T, , Learning and Work Institute , Jan 2016
- Worklessness, Welfare and Social Housing , Wilson T, Bivand,P, Rahman A, Hoya C, , National Housing Federation, Nov 2015
- The Impacts of Welfare Reform in Oxford, Davies M, Wilson T, , Oxford City Council, Jul 2015
- Fit for Purpose: Transforming employment support for disabled people and those with health conditions , Purvis A, Foster S, Lanceley L, Wilson T, , Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion, Dec 2014
- Equitable Full Employment: Delivery a jobs recovery for all, Wilson T, Bivand P, , Trades Union Congress, Jun 2014
- The Impact of Welfare Reform on residents in Tower Hamlets, Lane P, Rahman A, Wilson T, , Tower Hamlets Borough Council, Mar 2014
- Making the Work Programme work for ESA Claimants: Analysis of minimum performance levels and payment models, Riley T, Bivand P, Wilson T, , Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion, Feb 2014
- Minimum Wage Act ll: Options for strengthening the UK minimum wage, Plunkett J, Wilson T, D’Arcy C, , Resolution Foundation, Feb 2014
- Talent Match London: Supporting research and analysis on target boroughs and young unemployed Londoners aged 18-24, Wilson T, Davies M, Rahman A, , London Youth, Jan 2014
- Work in Progress: Low Pay and Progression in London and the UK, Wilson T, Gardiner L, Krasnowski K , , Trust for London, Dec 2013
- The Local Impacts of Welfare Reform: An Assessment of Cumulative Impacts and Mitigations, Wilson T, Morgan G, Rahman A, Vaid, L , , Local Government Association, Oct 2013
- Evaluation of Southwest Workways, Riley T, Miller C, Owen R, Roberts E, Foster R, Wilson T , , Neath Port Talbot Council, Aug 2013
- Community Works: Putting Work, Skills and Enterprise a the Heart of Community Budgets, Wilson T, Gallagher P , , Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion, May 2013
- Tracking the Working Lives of Migrants in the UK, Riley T, Miller C, Bivand P, Wilson T , , Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion, Mar 2013
- Evaluation of Want to Work, Wilson T, Riley T, Hawkins W, Lane P, , Welsh European Funding Office, Feb 2013
- Youth unemployment: review of training for young people with low qualifications, Wilson T, , Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Jan 2013
- A New Employment Programme for Northern Island: Feasibility Study, Wilson T, , Department for Employment and Learning, Northern Island Government, Oct 2012
- Hidden Talents: Skills mismatch analysis, Wilson T, Gardiner L, , Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion, Sep 2012
- Hidden Talents: Analysis of fragmentation of services to young people, Wilson T, Gardiner L, , Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion, Apr 2012
Articles and chapters
- Working for the future, Wilson T, IPPR Progressive Review (Wiley Online Library), November 2023
- We feared the end of furlough would bring mass unemployment. The reality is very different, Wilson T, Prospect Magazine, September 2021
- We need an exit strategy for jobs - and it should look like this, Wilson T, Prospect Magazine, May 2020
- The UK now has an opportunity to escape the low-wage, low-skill economy, Wilson T, People Power report from the Changing Work Centre (a Fabian Society/Community initiative), Management Today, [Online], July 2019
Conference appearances
- Improving outcomes for young people: what next for policy-makers?, Orlando C, Wilson T, IES webinar, October 2022
- Out of pocket: The places at the sharp end of the cost of living crisis , Wilson T, Centre for Cities, July 2022
- Fair flexible futures , Wilson T, Timewise, April 2022
- Back to the Future: what comes next for the UK's post pandemic labour market?, Wilson T, The Economy 2030 Inquiry, November 2021
- Youth Employment and Skills Summit 2021, Wilson T, Learning and Work Institute, October 2021
- House of Lords Youth Unemployment Committee, Wilson T, Youth Unemployment Committee, June 2021
- Community Renewal Fund: briefing for employment sector support , Wilson T, ERSA, April 2021
- Will the employability sector recover?, Wilson T, Aptem, April 2021
- Employment options and support for young disabled people, Wilson T, National Deaf Children’s Society, March 2021
- How can UK tech companies get involved to help more young people find work, Wilson T, Adzuna and DWP webinar, March 2021
- Covid Realities: Documenting everyday family life on a low-income during the pandemic, Wilson T, CRESR SHU webinar, March 2021
- Analysing the budget from an employment and skills perspective , Wilson T, ERSA webinar, March 2021
- Rising to the youth unemployment challenge , Wilson T, ERSA webinar, February 2021
- Restart programme: Action and Analysis, Wilson T, ERSA webinar, January 2021
- Storm ready: how to keep us afloat as unemployment hits, Wilson T, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, September 2020
- 'Essential work' to 'good work' - ensuring the post Covid labour market is secure, Wilson T, Tony Blair Institute, September 2020
- Securing young people's futures in a Covid disrupted world, Wilson T, Think Forward Webinar, October 2020