In November 2014, the Authority Board hosted a high-level seminar event in London.
This was to launch the Authority’s new corporate strategy and engage with a broad audience for UK official statistics to establish key future requirements, needs and capabilities necessary in the statistical service.
The Authority Chair, Sir Andrew Dilnot opened and closed proceedings.
The Rt. Hon. David Willetts MP, (the former Minister of State for Universities and Skills) made a powerful opening address on the important role and use of statistics in society.
This was followed by two panel discussions to explore what decision-makers want from official statistics alongside what the general public and the media want from official statistics, and how official statistics can help design and shape informed future decision-making.
Speakers included influential panellists from organisations such as the Bank of England, Environment Agency, NHS England, Ipsos-Mori, Royal Statistical Society, Full Fact and Open Data Institute.
John Pullinger, the National Statistician provided reflections and observations, drawing on important themes and insights raised by speakers and other contributors to inform and conclude discussions.
The event was deemed a great success with positive feedback from attendees, who were made up of over 120 senior stakeholders, policy-makers, opinion formers from across the public and private sectors, media commentators, researchers and analysts.
Useful discussion from the event continues to feed into various outputs, with future events being planned to continue this important dialogue with key stakeholder audiences.