Paul Kissack to step down as Group Chief Executive of the JRF and JRHT

Paul Kissack will be leaving JRF-JRHT in September after five years as its Group Chief Executive to take up the role of Permanent Secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Paul joined JRF-JRHT in 2020 in the middle of the Covid pandemic and ably steered the group during a challenging period. Since then, with JRF Trustees and the JRHT Board, he has overseen major strategic changes in both parts of the group, setting a new direction for the Foundation’s work, while supporting the housing trust to achieve high levels of performance and grow its housing development programme.  

Paul said: “I’m proud to have contributed to the important work of JRF-JRHT over the last five years, helping to steer JRF’s mission to shape a more equitable and just future, free from poverty, and supporting JRHT to provide high-quality services to tenants and residents in communities in York and the region.  It has been a huge privilege to be part of the JRF-JRHT team and work alongside colleagues of such enormous commitment, integrity and creativity”.

Professor Carol Tannahill OBE, Chair of JRF Trustees, said: “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Paul for his visionary, values-driven leadership of JRF-JRHT over the past five years. During his time as CEO, both arms of the JRF-JRHT group have gone from strength to strength, reflecting Paul’s ambition for the ways in which we provide local services and work across the UK to help achieve a more equitable, sustainable future.  We will miss him and we wish him well in his new role.”

ENDS