We are delighted to welcome Justin Russell as our new Chair of the Trustee Board at Dingley’s Promise. Justin has recently retired from his role as Director General for Families and Children at the Department for Education where he led the Department’s team responsible for every aspect of policy, funding and delivery relating to early years provision and childcare; children’s social care; free school meals, breakfast clubs and holiday activity provision and school attendance. Earlier in his career he had a range of roles in government including as a senior home affairs adviser to two Home Secretaries and Prime Minister Tony Blair in the No 10 Policy Unit and as the Chief Inspector of the Probation Service. He has also volunteered for a range of organisations and was a non-executive director for Turning Point. He lives in Bristol, enjoys cycling, hiking in the Brecon Beacons and football and has two grown up daughters.
Justin said “I am delighted to have been selected as the new Chair of Dingley’s Promise and to have been given the privilege of working with Catherine and her talented team for an organisation which shares my passion for giving the best possible start in life to children with special educational needs and disabilities. With new funding and an increasingly strong government commitment to early years SEND this is a really exciting time for Dingley’s Promise, full of great opportunities for the future, which I’m proud to now be a part of.”
Catherine Mole, CEO said “Justin brings a huge amount of experience to this role and a real passion for early years education. We are delighted to have his input and strategic direction at this pivotal period of growth and influence for Dingley’s Promise.
We would like to thank Sarah Clarke who has stepped in as interim Chair to ensure continuity of leadership where she will remain until 1st April, we would like to thank her for her time and commitment and her continued dedication to Dingley’s Promise which will continue as she moves to her role within the Trustee board in April 2026.”
Written by Jo Evans – Head of Communications