Ed Balls
Broadcaster, writer and economist
Ed Balls is a broadcaster, writer, and economist, known for his political career and public engagement. He recently won the Get the Nation Learning Award from the Learning and Work Institute in 2025, recognising his role as an inspiring ambassador for lifelong learning.
Economist, Broadcaster, and Champion of Lifelong Learning
Ed Balls is a Research Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School and Visiting Professor at King’s College London, co-Chair of the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation and Vice-President and former Chairman of Norwich City Football Club. His popular BBC TV series ‘Travels in Trumpland: with Ed Balls’ was broadcast in July 2018 and a second series ‘Travels in Europe with Ed Balls’ will air on BBC 2 later this year.Ed, a former Member of Parliament, was UK Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer (2011-2015) and served in the UK Cabinet as Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (2007-2010). He was the UK Minister for Financial Services (2006-2007) and the Chief Economic Adviser to the UK Treasury (1997-2004) during which time he was Chair of the IMFC Deputies and UK G20 Deputy. While Shadow Chancellor he was co-Chair with Larry Summers of the Center for American Progress Inclusive Prosperity Commission. Ed is married to Yvette Cooper MP. They have three children and live in London and Castleford. His interests include learning the piano, running, cooking, sailing and supporting Norwich City. Ed was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing 2016 and was nominated for a Bafta for TV moment of the year in 2016 and as part of the ITN General Election team in 2017.
Honoured as Lifelong Learning Ambassador at Get the Nation Learning Awards
Ed Balls has been named Lifelong Learning Ambassador at the 2025 Get the Nation Learning Awards, hosted by the Learning and Work Institute at the Barbican. Ed first came to City Lit while he was still in government, signing up for speech therapy classes to help manage his stammer. He spent time working with our brilliant tutor Jan Logan, learning techniques that boosted his confidence and helped him communicate more clearly - skills that still support him today in his roles as broadcaster, writer and public figure.
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City Lit Awards 2023
City Lit held a special awards ceremony on Wednesday 15 November 2023, with Guest of Honour Ed Balls. The City Lit Awards 2023 celebrated the outstanding work and achievements of various students, tutors and staff from across the college, as well as the transformation adult learning can bring.
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