The Institute of Economic Affairs, in collaboration with the University of Buckingham, today announces the opening of the Vinson Centre, which will house the Centre for Economics and Entrepreneurship at the university.

Thanks to the generous donation from entrepreneur and Vice President of the IEA Lord Vinson, this centre will be dedicated to exploring the wide range of ideas, arguments and issues associated with the idea of a ‘constitution of liberty’.

As well as research collaborations between the University and the IEA, the centre will be used by economics students, research fellows, and for conferences and internships.

Leading the formal opening of the centre in Buckingham will be Labour MP, The Rt Hon Frank Field, alongside senior representatives from both Buckingham University and the IEA, as well as 350 guests.

Commenting on the opening of the Vinson centre, Lord Vinson said:

“Overwhelmingly the facts pointed to Buckingham as the place to choose if you want to advance entrepreneurialism – manifested, not least, by being the first university to offer two-year courses and its uniquely sound thinking on liberal economics. “Both Buckingham and I have been closely associated with the IEA and I and my Trustees want to cement the relationship. As an entrepreneur I have been exceptionally fortunate in life and I also wanted to foster the qualities that create new businesses, because they are the foundation of the prosperity of any nation.”

The IEA’s Director General Mark Littlewood said:

“We are hugely excited to have a base at Buckingham for cutting edge research, thought-provoking conferences, and educational outreach. Together we will help shape the future for the better. The pioneering ethos of Buckingham chimes with our own values, which include fostering innovation and improving the understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society.” 

Sir Anthony Seldon said:

“Our country’s economy, post-Brexit, needs entrepreneurship and enterprise like never before. Our new centre is geared precisely to developing the successful entrepreneurs of the future. We will be turning out graduates who are educated in a wide range of disciplines and who have a ‘can-do’ attitude, which is what our country needs. My father Arthur Seldon, who spent his career at the Institute for Economic Affairs and who helped inspire the founding of the University 43 years ago, would I believe be immensely proud of the way in which Lord Vinson, the IEA, our local LEP and Buckingham have joined forces to help shape a better future.”

Notes to editors:

For media enquiries please contact:

• Nerissa Chesterfield, Head of Communications: nchesterfield@iea.org.uk 020 7799 8920 or 07791 390 268


• Diana Blamires, Publicity Co-ordinator, University of Buckingham: diana.blamires@buckingham.ac.uk or 01280 820213

The University of Buckingham was the UK’s first independent university when it was set up in 1976 and in 1983 it was granted a Royal Charter. Pioneering from the start, the University ran two year degrees, which other institutions have since started to do. Last year the University again led the way by successfully launching the country’s first independent Medical School.

The University of Buckingham is top in the UK for graduate employability, according to Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) figures, which reveal 98.1% of students have a job or are in full-time education within six months of graduation.

The mission of the Institute of Economic Affairs is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems and seeks to provide analysis in order to improve the public understanding of economics.

The IEA is a registered educational charity and independent of all political parties