Vidhya Alakeson Biography
Vidhya Alakeson is currently the Political Director at Number 10 Downing Street under Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government. She was recently promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff, following Sue Gray’s resignation from the role of Chief of Staff.
Prior to this, Alakeson had an extensive career in policy and leadership roles, including serving as the Chief Executive of Power to Change, where she helped grow community businesses across the UK. She has also worked for the UK Treasury, the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit, and held roles in the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Vidhya Alakeson Age
Vidhya Alakeson’s age is not publicly disclosed.
Vidhya Alakeson Educational Background
Vidhya Alakeson has a solid academic foundation that has supported her impressive career in public service, policy, and leadership roles. She earned her undergraduate degree in Modern Languages from the prestigious University of Oxford, which is known for producing leaders across various fields.
Following her time at Oxford, Alakeson furthered her education by pursuing a Master of Science (MSc) degree from the London School of Economics (LSE).
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Vidhya Alakeson Career
Vidhya Alakeson has built a diverse and impactful career across multiple sectors, both in the UK and the US, focusing primarily on public policy, social enterprise, and political strategy. Her career began with significant policy roles, including working as a senior policy adviser at the UK Treasury and a senior researcher at various think tanks.
Between 2006 and 2010, Alakeson worked in Washington, D.C., at the US Department of Health and Human Services. During this period, she was involved in major healthcare reforms and policies aimed at improving public health outcomes in the United States. Her experience in the US further strengthened her capacity to influence public policy on both sides of the Atlantic, marking her as a versatile leader with international experience.
In 2015, Alakeson became the founding Chief Executive of Power to Change, a UK-based trust designed to promote community businesses. Under her leadership, the organization played a pivotal role in supporting the growth of over 11,000 community-led businesses across England. These enterprises aimed to provide services that directly benefited their local communities, particularly in disadvantaged areas. Alakeson’s leadership at Power to Change helped channel over £100 million in investments, making a profound impact on community-driven business models.
After seven years of leading Power to Change, Alakeson stepped down in early 2022 to take on a new role as Director of External Relations for Keir Starmer, Leader of the UK Labour Party. This move marked a shift in her career toward more direct political engagement. As Director of External Relations, she played a critical role in shaping Starmer’s outreach to businesses and various stakeholders, leveraging her extensive policy experience to build relationships across sectors.
By 2024, Alakeson had risen to the position of Deputy Chief of Staff at Number 10, solidifying her role as one of the key strategists in the UK government. Her work involved coordinating with different departments and political figures, ensuring that Labour’s political agenda was effectively communicated and implemented.
Vidhya Alakeson Husband and Children
Details regarding Vidhya Alakeson’s personal life, including her husband and children, are not publicly disclosed.
Vidhya Alakeson Net Worth
Vidhya Alakeson’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed.
FAQs
Who is Vidhya Alakeson?
Vidhya Alakeson is a prominent UK-based policy expert and leader who currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff at Number 10 Downing Street under Prime Minister Keir Starmer. She previously held leadership roles such as CEO of Power to Change and Director of External Relations for the Labour Party.
What was her role at Power to Change?
Vidhya was the founding Chief Executive of Power to Change, a trust created to support community businesses in England. During her tenure from 2015 to 2022, she helped grow over 11,000 community-led businesses.
What are her contributions to the Labour Party?
In 2022, Vidhya joined Keir Starmer’s Labour Party as the Director of External Relations. She played a key role in stakeholder engagement and business relations, and by 2024, she was promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff at Number 10.
What are her areas of expertise?
Vidhya has extensive experience in public policy, particularly in social enterprise, mental health, and community development. She has also worked in various think tanks and government roles in both the UK and the US.
Has Vidhya Alakeson worked outside the UK?
Yes, Vidhya worked in the US as the Lead Analyst for Mental Health at the Department of Health and Human Services from 2006 to 2010.
What other leadership roles has she held?
Before Power to Change, Vidhya was the Deputy Chief Executive at the Resolution Foundation, a leading UK think tank focused on improving living standards for low- and middle-income families.
Is Vidhya involved in any non-governmental organizations?
Yes, she is a board member of More in Common, a global initiative focused on reducing societal polarization, and she is a trustee at the Young Foundation.
