Lord Ed Vaizey
Ed supports select international research, strategy and planning projects at the highest level, drawing on his deep policy expertise and global perspective as the UK’s longest-serving Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy.
He also chairs the UKSA Forum, a joint initiative between BOP and Edge of Arabia that fosters international dialogue and creative exchange.
Alongside his advisory work, Ed is a member of the House of Lords and broadcaster. He previously served as a government minister and Member of Parliament.
During his ministerial career, Ed oversaw the rollout of rural broadband to over 4 million homes, introduced 4G, and championed tax credits that helped establish the UK’s creative industries as global leaders. He played a central role in attracting major inward investment to the UK’s tech and film sectors—most famously persuading Lucasfilm to film Star Wars in the UK, earning an on-screen credit.
He also introduced coding to the national curriculum, launched a national music education programme, published the UK’s first Culture White Paper in 50 years, and led the transformation of English Heritage into an independent charity.
Ed currently presents a weekly show on Times Radio and appears regularly across national media as a political commentator. He also advises a range of companies, technology funds, and start-ups, and holds several board roles including Chair of the UK-ASEAN Business Council, Trustee of Tate, and Governor of St Paul’s School, London.