Caroline Ashley

Caroline Ashley is the Global Director of System Change Programmes at Forum for the Future, a leading Socio-Economist and experienced leader who specialises in innovating market systems and business models to deliver societal value, equity, and climate stability. With a career spanning over 30 years, Caroline has worked in a range of different sectors including charity, governmental, consulting and investment challenge funds. She is a highly proficient speaker on economic systems, a transformation that will be needed for a just transition to a sustainable future and an economy that is set to a new north star.

Graduating from the University of Oxford with a BA in Politics Philosophy and Economics, Caroline went on to gain an MA from The Johns Hopkins University, in Social Change and Development: International Economics. Throughout her career, Caroline has held several distinguished roles and has been exposed to a variety of international economic systems. Beginning her career as a Researcher for the Congressional Taskforce on Foreign Assistance in Washington DC, Caroline worked in the office of Congressman Lee Hamilton. She then moved on to another high-profile role as a Researcher for the Shadow Minister for Overseas Development at the UK Parliament.

Caroline went on to serve as a Socio-Economist for Practical Action, before spending the next four years as a Resource Economist for the Ministry of Environment and Tourism in Namibia. Some of the other notable roles held by Caroline include being a Consultant for African Development Bank, a Research Fellow for the Overseas Development Institute and a Results Director on multiple challenge funds that support business innovation for UKaid, all focused on how business can drive change. As Head Economic of Justice for Oxfam GB and Global Director at the Forum for the Future, she has steered multi-country multi-stakeholder programmes that take a systems approach to address the biggest challenges of our time.

Currently the Director of SteelWatch, Caroline is a prominent thinker-doer who has had the privilege of working in a variety of high profile roles and has observed the impact of climate change and poverty on development in many countries across Africa. As a result, Caroline places a significant emphasis on shifting economic systems so that they are more sustainable for the future. Her combination of unusual skills such as social change, environmental sustainability and business strategy are aspects that distinguish Caroline from other economists, united with her profound knowledge and experience, she is a truly exceptional speaker to book.