Julia Unwin DBE

Dame Julia Unwin was appointed as the Chair of the York St John University Board of Governors in 2020.

She has a varied background including: running a consultancy business for 15 years; serving as a Charity Commissioner; being the Chair of the Refugee Council; launching and chairing an Independent Inquiry into the Future of Civil Society in England; serving as the inaugural Chair of the Smart Data Foundry based at Edinburgh University; and, being a former member of the Council, and pro-Chancellor, of the University of York. She was CEO of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation for a decade 2007 to 2016.

Julia has written and spoken extensively on issues relating to philanthropy, governance, the voluntary sector and its relationship with government. Her publications include ‘Why Fight Poverty?’, ‘Kindness, Emotions and Relationships’, the ‘Blind Spot in Public Policy Making’ and ‘The Grant Making Tango’.

In 2010 Dame Julia was awarded the Outstanding Leadership Award in the Charity Awards and has received honorary doctorates from three universities (including from York St John).

In the 2020 New Year Honours list she received a DBE.