About the Regent College
Marketplace Institute

The Institute is a public theology think tank that, through its research, publications and activities exists to support and promote the transformational impact of the Christian faith throughout all aspects of modern life. It does so by engaging directly in the public marketplace of ideas and debate, and by equipping and envisioning Christians and Churches in their varied vocations in society.

Institute Director

Paul Spencer Williams

David J. Brown Family Associate Professor of Marketplace Theology and Leadership

B.A, M.A (Oxford), M.Sc (Oxford), MCS (Regent)

Paul Williams brings prayerful and critical consideration and a background in economics, philosophy and theology to the Church's engagement with issues of the day, such as capitalism, globalization, sustainable development and pluralism. He networks with leaders in business, public services, politics and the non-profit social sector around the world at the level of shaping visions and strategic directions. Besides teaching Marketplace Theology and Leadership and directing the Institute, he continues to stay committed in the marketplace, working as a Director and Economic Advisor to DTZ plc, a multinational real estate consulting and investment banking group headquartered in London UK where he previously worked as Chief Economist and Head of International Research.

He has over 15 years experience acting as a strategic economic advisor to a wide range of major international companies, government agencies, particularly in the areas of competitiveness, globalization and sustainability. His clients have included the BBC, the British Labour Party, British Telecom, the Finnish and Estonian Governments, the Spanish Social Security Agency, the UK Government's Department of Trade and Industry, the Demos Think Tank, JP Morgan, Citibank, Prudential and GE Capital.

Following his work on social, economic and environmental development for London, launched by the Minister for London in 1998, he was appointed expert advisor to the European Commission (DGXVI) on the design of Sustainable Cities.

He loves taking his wife, Sarah, a historian who also teaches at Regent College, out to good restaurants, and spending time with his two daughters, Hannah and Emilia, in conversations on philosophy, culture, or anything they like to debate with their dad. He is an active member of a local church that meets on the campus of the University of British Columbia. He enjoys sailing, watching Wales play rugby, jazz piano, and taking the family dog, Ruby, for walks. In his neighbourhood in Vancouver, Canada he is actively seeking small but significant ways to see advertising banned from public spaces.