About Nesta

Nesta is an innovation foundation. For us, innovation means turning bold ideas into reality and changing lives for the better. We use our expertise, skills and funding in areas where there are big challenges facing society.

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Lauren Bowes Byatt

Deputy Director, healthy life mission

Lauren is the Deputy Director of the healthy life mission.

Her team is focused on working across public, private and non-profit sectors to deliver innovative solutions that tackle obesity and loneliness in the UK.

Lauren joined Nesta from the Cabinet Office where she worked as Head of Planning and Coordination in the COVID-19 task force. She was responsible for supporting Number 10 decision-making on COVID-19 and organising key COVID-19 policy moments, from implementing national lockdowns to delivering the government's Spring Summer and Autumn Winter roadmaps. During this time, she was also deployed to NHS England's COVID-19 vaccination programme where she helped on delivery of the 'Get Boosted Now' campaign.

Prior to this, Lauren held strategy roles within the Home Office and Cabinet Office. At the Cabinet Office, she oversaw the creation and delivery of the government's Loneliness strategy. Lauren joined the Civil Service as a social researcher after working as an analyst in the private sector in both market research and publishing industries.

Outside of work Lauren enjoys yoga, visiting art galleries and eating out. She is also a trustee for the charity Hestia.