149. SJI Interviews Ep.93: Plain Numbers with Mike Ellicock

Plain Numbers is a UK based organisation working with firms to support their customers who struggle with numbers. Their founder Mike Ellicock is a social entrepreneur focused on running organisations that support people who struggle with numbers and data. He launched National Numeracy as founding Chief Executive in 2012, building the organisation from little more than an idea to become a well-respected national charity with strong evidence of impact. The seeds of the idea for Plain Numbers were sown at National Numeracy. Having handed over as Chief Executive there in 2020, Mike is now utilising his unparalleled knowledge of this largely hidden consumer vulnerability to work with firms to enable people to make informed decisions across all areas of their lives.

Mike chats with Susanne Rogers about the work of Plain Numbers, touching on their research findings, the positive impacts on individuals when organisations change their approach to financial information, especially in an increasingly  complicated and fast moving area.  

You can learn more about the research here: Plain Numbers Project: Initial trials report 

The numeracy challenge Mike mentions can be found here: nationalnumeracy.org.uk/challenge/