The Institute for Government (IfG)

What The Institute for Government (IfG) does

The Institute for Government (IfG) is a UK registered charity and company limited by guarantee (Registered Charity No. 1123926; Company No. 6480524), founded in 2008 and headquartered in London. Its stated mission is to make UK government more effective through independent, non-partisan research, analysis, training, and convening.

IfG's product portfolio is built around three layers: a research and commentary layer (long-form publications, explainers, comments, live blogs, and the Inside Briefing podcast); a tracking and data layer (the IfG Ministers Database covering all UK ministers since 1979, the Whitehall Monitor, and the Public Services Performance Tracker); and a training and convening layer (the IfG Academy for ministers, civil servants, special advisers, MPs and select committees, and external organisations engaging with government, alongside the IfG DevoLab series on devolution). Underlying technology is a content platform combining a Drupal-based website, podcast distribution, and an events management system; there is no unified software product. Revenue mechanics are typical of a charitable think tank: most research and explainers are freely distributed, some premium events carry attendance fees, and the IfG Academy offers paid training to public and private organisations. Funding flows through grants, corporate partnerships (for example Legal & General for DevoLab), and earned training and event income; specific financial figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

The Institute for Government (IfG)

Legal name

Institute for Government

Website

https://instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Institute for Government is a London-based UK charitable think tank that conducts independent research and analysis on government effectiveness, operates the IfG Academy for ministers and civil servants, and runs trackers and databases on UK ministers, Whitehall, and public services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Policy Research

NAICS

Other General Government Support (92119)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Central Government Policy, Strategy & Performance (incl. OMB-style functions) (BPAIAAAB), Executive Office / Cabinet Secretariat (BPAIAAAA)

Keywords

• Policy research analysis
• Government effectiveness research
• Civil service training programmes
• Public policy think tank
• Devolution policy research

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Institute for Government is an independent think tank that conducts research, analysis, and commentary on the effectiveness of the UK government. It sells training programmes through the IfG Academy for civil servants and policy professionals, maintains proprietary databases (such as the Ministers Database and the Public Services Performance Tracker), and convenes policy discussions and podcasts such as Inside Briefing for a specialist audience.

Product overview

The Institute for Government (IfG) is a UK think tank offering a suite of research, analysis, and training products focused on improving government effectiveness. The portfolio includes the IfG Ministers Database (searchable records of UK ministers since 1979), Public Services Performance Tracker and Whitehall Monitor (analytical trackers), IfG Academy (training programs for ministers and civil servants), Inside Briefing Podcast (analysis and discussion), IfG DevoLab (devolution policy initiative), Research and Analysis Publications (explainers, comments, data), Ministers Reflect (minister interviews), and Events. The offering functions as a platform of interconnected research and engagement products rather than a unified software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ministers Database
• Public Services Performance Tracker
• Whitehall Monitor
• IfG Academy Training Programme
• Inside Briefing Podcast
• IfG DevoLab
• Ministers Reflect Interview Series
• Research Reports and Briefings
• Events and Conferences Programme

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• L&G (Legal & General)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerL&G has partnered with the Institute for Government to support the IfG DevoLab series, an initiative dedicated to exploring policy and governance innovations enabled by devolution. L&G's support enables IfG to host events exploring how mayors and local leaders can work together on regional growth, affordable housing, and climate transition. The partnership includes both event sponsorship and wider support for the DevoLab series.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Reform: Independent UK think tank focused on public services reform and government effectiveness; overlaps directly with IfG's mission and target audience of civil servants and policymakers.
• Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS): Independent UK economics research institute analysing fiscal policy, public finances, and tax; directly comparable to IfG as a research-driven institution shaping UK government policy debate.
• Policy Exchange: Leading UK centre-right think tank producing research on policy reform, government, and public services; competes directly with IfG for policymaker attention and media influence in the UK political ecosystem.
• Royal United Services Institute (RUSI): UK defence and security think tank producing research and analysis on government and policy; comparable to IfG as an established UK policy research institute with a similarly independent, non-partisan stance.
• Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR): UK-based progressive think tank conducting policy research and analysis across government effectiveness, economy, and public services; the closest peer to IfG in scale, mission, and audience of policymakers and public.
• Centre for Policy Studies: UK centre-right think tank focused on economic and public policy reform; comparable to IfG in producing research and events aimed at shaping government effectiveness debates.
• Resolution Foundation: UK charity and think tank researching living standards, low-to-middle income households, and economic policy; comparable to IfG as a registered charity producing research and analysis for UK policymakers.

Broad incumbents

• Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs): Long-established UK-based international affairs think tank producing research and analysis on global policy and governance; comparable in operating model and influence but with a broader international remit than IfG's UK government focus.

Emerging players

• King's Fund: UK health-focused charitable think tank working with the NHS and government on health policy; comparable to IfG in being a UK charity producing research, analysis, and leadership development for public services.
• Tony Blair Institute for Global Change: Policy institute advising governments on reform, governance, and delivery; comparable to IfG's government effectiveness focus but operating globally and with a more applied, advisory model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/instituteforgov
• Facebookfacebook.com/instituteforgov
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-for-government
• Instagraminstagram.com/instituteforgov
• Xx.com/instituteforgov

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Institute for Government (IfG)