Counterculture Partnership LLP is delighted to announce the appointment of James Coe as a partner in the firm. Specialising in developing projects through stakeholder engagement, policy development, and place-based analyses, James arrives at Counterculture with a proven track record in leadership roles at a number of prestigious institutions within the educational, cultural and civic spheres.
Previously at the University of Liverpool, where he was Head of Sustainability, Policy, and Civic Engagement, James was responsible for the University’s sustainability strategy, advising on issues across higher education, and leading the University’s civic engagement work. Drawing on his wealth of experience in the higher education sector, James’ well-received book, The New University: Local Solutions to a Global Crisis, was published in 2021.
Welcoming James’ appointment to Counterculture as a partner, Counterculture Chair, John Newbigin, comments: “It’s a real coup for Counterculture having someone of James’ calibre, vision and wealth of experience in the higher education sector joining our team. I’m delighted to welcome him.”
On taking up his new role, James Coe comments: “Counterculture is a force for good for businesses, public sector, and the creative arts. I’m delighted to be joining the team at a time of rapid expansion where I will be working with those who believe that our institutions can make positive change in society. This will involve leading work in the higher education sector, supporting capacity building with public authorities and creative organisations, and partnering with business to grow their impact.”
Across the Liverpool City Region, James has made his presence felt, collaborating with a number of stakeholders on key initiatives. He was author of the initiation document for the Liverpool City Region’s R&D strategy. He was one of the key architects of the University of Liverpool’s Culture at Home programme and he serves as a member of the Liverpool City Region’s Race Equality Board.
Dinah Birch Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Cultural Engagement: “It has been a real pleasure to work with James throughout his years with the University of Liverpool. My role as PVC for Cultural Engagement brings together the academic world with creative and cultural industries, and James’s imaginative and resourceful approach, always focussed on opportunities to build new partnerships and develop fresh initiatives, has been immeasurably helpful in establishing a collaborative and outward-facing ethos throughout the University’s cultural activities.”
James has also recently been appointed as Associate Editor for Research and Innovation at Wonkhe, the leading platform for debate, analysis and policy development within the higher education sector.
Founder & Editor in Chief – Wonkhe: “James has proven to be an imaginative and influential thinker on how higher education can play a crucial part in our society, economy, and the creative arts. As our new Associate Editor for Research and Innovation I am sure he will not only make a huge impact at Wonkhe but in the wider public sector.”
Tom Wilcox, Senior Partner and Founder, adds: “We are delighted that James Coe is joining us as Partner. James is an exceptional strategic thinker and – as a fan of Allen Ginsberg, I’m tempted to say – one of the best minds of his generation.”
Previously, James worked at NUS where he oversaw their governance reform. He is Trustee at Manchester Metropolitan Students’ Union and also holds a Masters of Public Administration where he specialised in the economic resilience of the public sector after Covid, for which he was awarded a Distinction. James recently worked with the Together Coalition on developing a post COVID policy consensus in civic society.