Joseph Rowntree Foundation group announces Moira Sinclair as its incoming Chair of Trustees

Ms Sinclair is currently Chair of Clore Leadership, Factory International in Manchester, and the Investment Committee of the Arts Impact Fund. In addition to her current chairing roles Ms Sinclair is a Historic England Commissioner and a trustee of the National Theatre Foundation.

Her executive experience includes ten years as Chief Executive of the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, an endowed foundation working with young people, communities experiencing equity and disadvantage, migrants and refugees and artists. During her tenure she worked with colleagues to usher in a clearer focus on addressing issues of equity and injustice.

Ms Sinclair will succeed current JRF group chair Professor Carol Tannahill on 4 January 2027, when the latter steps down from the board of trustees in December 2026 after ten years of service, including the last three as Chair.

Of her appointment, incoming chair Moira Sinclair said:

"I couldn’t be more excited to be joining the Joseph Rowntree Foundation group at this point in its history. Over the past five years JRF’s ambitions have grown noticeably. Alongside its record of using research, policy development and advocacy to confront UK poverty and the structural inequalities that drive it, while increasing the supply of genuinely affordable housing in its home region, it has latterly established itself as a reflective funder of some of the movements working to replace systems which are patently failing us in favour of ones that deliver true equity. I look forward to joining the refreshed board of trustees to help strengthen the organisation’s work with both its traditional and newer partners."

Gillian Russell, who as vice-chair of the JRF group led the search process for a new chair said:

"During our conversations with a very strong list of candidates Moira Sinclair stood out for her deeply thoughtful approach and impressive understanding of the questions facing the organisation. The depth of judgement, governance experience, self- awareness and chairing craft that she demonstrated during the search process makes us very confident that she is the right person to ensure the organisation continues to be well-led during the next phase of its work."

Julian Hartley, Chief Executive of the JRF group said:

"I am thrilled to have in Moira Sinclair a deeply experienced partner to help take our work forward. As the former leader of one of the UK’s largest independent grant makers, her track record of exploring what it means to be part of the movement trying to build a fairer world, challenging traditional philanthropic power dynamics and adopting a total assets approach is highly pertinent. As is her experience of working with local and national governments."