Our people
Profiles and contact details for JRF's key people in our leadership teams.
Directors

Paul Kissack
Group Chief Executive
Paul is the Group Chief Executive of Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) and Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT).

Helen Barnard
Director of Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Helen is responsible for driving forward JRF’s strategy to inspire action to solve UK poverty. She oversees JRF’s evidence and impact, economics, policy and partnerships, advocacy and public engagement, and external affairs across the UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Claire Townson
Director of Corporate Services
Claire is Director of Corporate Services for JRF and JRHT. She leads the specialist functions that work in partnership with all colleagues, supporting them to work effectively and efficiently as they focus on our outcomes.

Tracey Preece
Director of Finance for JRF and JRHT
Tracey leads the Finance and Procurement teams, providing high-quality financial management information and services. She is also responsible for the JRF investment portfolio and is lead Director for JRF’s social investment programme which is focused on reducing poverty and disadvantage.
Deputy Directors

Frank Soodeen
Deputy Director of External Affairs
Frank leads on JRF’s external profile, positioning JRF as a leading authority on UK poverty, with an authoritative, compelling and impactful presence.

Peter Matejic
Deputy Director of Evidence and Impact at Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Peter Matejic joined JRF as Head of Evidence in July 2019. He was promoted to Deputy Director of Evidence and Impact in September 2020. His team are the guardians of JRF evidence on poverty.

Katie Schmuecker
Deputy Director of Policy and Partnerships
Katie works on projects about income and benefits, work, cities, towns and neighbourhoods, and society.

Chris Birt
Deputy Director, Scotland
Chris leads our work in Scotland to solve poverty.

Husna Mortuza
Deputy Director, Advocacy and Public Engagement
Husna leads on JRF’s public engagement and advocacy strand, including ensuring people with lived experience of poverty are an integral part of our work.
Our trustees and experts

Our trustees
Profiles of JRF and JRHT's trustees.

Our experts
Contact details and info for key people in our teams.