Professor Nick Pearce, Director of the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Bath, has been appointed new Chair of the Living Wage Commission.
Nick brings a wealth of academic, policy, political and chairing experience which makes him ideally placed to steward the Living Wage Commission and Living Wage rate setting process. As well as his current Directorship at the University of Bath, Nick has served as Director of the Institute for Public Policy Research, Head of Policy in the Prime Minister’s Office under Gordon Brown, and Chair of Trustees at both the Early Intervention Foundation and Tavistock Institute for Medical Psychology, to name just a few of his appointments.
The Living Wage Commission oversees the calculation of the real Living Wage rates, providing a transparent decision-making forum to resolve specific judgments about how to incorporate policy changes and new sources of data into the calculation. It also advises on how to manage extreme year-to-year variations from general rises in living costs.
Nick’s appointment as Chair comes at a milestone moment for the Living Wage Foundation, which has recently refreshed its brand identity to reflect the scale, ambition, and future direction of one of the UK’s most successful campaigns for better work. The Living Wage movement recently welcomed its 16,000th accredited employer, with over half the FTSE 100 already signed up, and has transferred over £3.85 billion into the pockets of low paid workers over the lifetime of the campaign.
Katherine Chapman, Director Living Wage Foundation, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Professor Nick Pearce as the new Chair of the Living Wage Commission. His deep understanding of public policy, considerable academic and public leadership experience will be invaluable as we continue to grow the Living Wage movement. In uncertain economic times, Nick’s leadership will ensure that the real Living Wage continues to provide a credible, civic benchmark that meets the cost of living, and that workers and employers across the UK can get behind.”
Professor Nick Pearce said: ‘I am delighted to take up the role of Chair of the Living Wage Commission. The Commissioners do really important work in setting and promoting the real Living Wage – a wage rate that employers and workers can rely on to meet the essential costs of living. It is a testament to the success of the Commission and the wider Living Wage movement that the real Living Wage is now paid by more than 16,000 UK employers to nearly half a million employees. Decent wages and secure work are good for businesses and good for their staff. I am really pleased to be able to play my part in this effort.’
Outgoing chair, Gavin Kelly, said: “Serving as Chair of the Living Wage Commission over the last decade has been a great privilege. We’ve had to navigate multiple economic shocks – Brexit, Covid and the cost-of-living crisis – during which the Commission has always remained focused on one clear goal: ensuring there is a credible pay benchmark that employers and workers know will result in a decent standard of living. I have no doubt that the Living Wage – underpinned by the Commission – will go from strength to strength in the years ahead.”
Notes to editors:
Nick became Head of Policy and Director of the Institute for Policy Research at University of Bath in 2015 after previously being Director of the Institute for Public Policy Research between 2010 and 2015 and 2003 and 2007. Nick served as Head of Policy in the Prime Minister’s Office in No. 10 Downing Street between 2008 and 2010, as well as Head of Strategic Policy and Senior Advisor on Children, Schools and Families; Skills and Universities in the No. 10 Policy Unit between 2007 and 2008. Prior to this, he served as Special Advisor to the David Blunkett MP while Mr Blunkett was Home Secretary between 2001 and 2003 and Secretary of State for Education and Employment between 1999 and 2001.
Nick Served as Chair of Trustees of the Early Intervention Foundation between 2020 and 2022 and the Tavistock Institute for Medical Psychology (Tavistock Relationships) between 2015 and 2024 and has been a trustee of Foundationsfor vulnerable children and families since 2022.
Nick has also been an Advisory Group Member for the Wales Centre for Public Policy Advisory Group since 2017 and the Higher Education Policy Institute between 2021 and 2024 before becoming a trustee for this organisation. Between 2019 and 2020 he was also Chair of the Independent Commission on Democracy and Civic Engagement in the London Borough of Newham and between 2008 and 2010 Chair of the Advisory Board of the UK Chief Scientist’s Foresight Programme.
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What is the real Living Wage?
The Living Wage Foundation’s real Living Wage remains the only UK wage rate independently calculated based on the cost of living, rising annually based on living costs. It gives employers the confidence they are paying a wage that meets everyday needs. The real Living Wage applies to all workers over 18 – in recognition that young people face the same living costs as everyone else. This year’s rates are £12.60 across the UK, and £13.85 in London. These figures are calculated annually by the Resolution Foundation and overseen by the Living Wage Commission, based on the best available evidence on living standards in the UK and in London.
Nearly 16,000 accredited employers choose to pay the real Living Wage on a voluntary basis. The campaign for a real Living Wage has secured over £3.6bn of pay rises for low paid workers and made a profound difference to millions of lives around the UK since it began more than 20 years ago. It enjoys cross party support.
About the Living Wage Foundation
The Living Wage Foundation is the organisation at the heart of the independent movement of employers, people and communities who are driving up employment standards so that everyone has a decent standard of living now and in the future. Through our Living Wage, Living Hours and Living Pension accreditations, we champion and celebrate employers who make an ongoing commitment to do the right thing by their employees by providing the security and freedom they need to thrive. The Living Wage Foundation is part of Citizens UK; the UK’s biggest, most diverse and effective people powered alliance. Our accreditation schemes make change on the issues that matter.
What about the Government’s national living wage?
In July 2015 the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that the UK Government would introduce a compulsory ‘National Living Wage’ (NLW). This new government rate was a new minimum wage for staff over 25 years old. It was introduced in April 2016 and the rate is £12.21 as of April 2025. From April 2024 it applies to everyone over 21 years old.
The rate is different to the Living Wage rates calculated by the Living Wage Foundation. The government rate is based on median earnings, while the Living Wage Foundation rates remain the only ones calculated according to the cost of living in London and the UK. A full-time worker paid the £12.60 real Living Wage will receive £760.50 in additional wages annually compared to the current Government minimum. For a full-time worker in London this figure rises to £3,198.
For more information, please see our website.