According to Professor Mariana Mazzucato (United States/Italy) and Rosie Collington (UK), the consulting industry has managed to install itself at the very hearts of power in our economies and governments, with an extremely problematic impact on political responsibilities and public innovation. In this conversation with the economist Carolina Soto, Mazzucato will talk about her and Collington's joint book, The Big Con, in which the two authors discredit the myth that consultancy firms always add value to the economy, and defend investment in, and the collective intelligence of, organisations. They will also talk about the economic and social situation of Latin America.

The Spanish edition of The Big Con, entitled El gran engaño, will be published by Taurus and available to purchase from 25 January at the Hay Festival (and from 30 January throughout Colombia).

Mariana Mazzucato is a Professor at University College London (UCL), and Founding Director of the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose. Her highly acclaimed books include The Entrepreneurial State, The Value of Everything, Mission Economy, and The Big Con.

Simultaneous translation from English to Spanish available