Announcement: New CEO for the Jo Cox Foundation

The Jo Cox Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Catherine Anderson as its new Chief Executive. Catherine will start work in September when the current Director, Iona Lawrence, will leave after two years in the post.

The Foundation was set up in 2016 following the murder of Jo Cox MP in her constituency of Batley and Spen. Catherine Anderson will be taking up the post of Chief Executive Officer after eight years working in parliament as Chief of Staff to Rory Stewart, MP for Penrith and The Border.

Announcing the appointment, Nick Grono, chair of the Jo Cox Foundation, said:

“The board of trustees is delighted that Catherine will be heading up the Foundation’s work from September and taking forward our ambitious agenda. She brings deep experience of issues very close to Jo’s heart – from work with vulnerable communities to campaigning to get more women into parliament.

“The JCF has achieved an enormous amount under Iona’s inspiring leadership, including two successful annual Great Get Togethers, a highly positive response to the Jo Cox Loneliness Commission with the appointment of the world’s first loneliness minister, and the announcement by DfID of a £10million aid fund to empower women and strengthen communities in developing countries.

“We are all looking forward to working with Catherine to build on these achievements and make further progress based on the values Jo Cox lived by and the issues she was so passionate about.”

Catherine Anderson said:

"It is a huge honour to have been appointed to lead the Jo Cox Foundation in this next chapter of its life. Iona has set the bar high with her amazing leadership over the past two years, and I am extremely grateful to have been given the chance to build on her brilliant work.

“As a woman in public life myself - with a background in charitable and NGO work both in the UK and abroad, and almost a decade working in domestic politics - Jo's life and achievements resonate with me deeply. To be able to drive Jo's message and values deeper and wider, and to ensure her positive legacy thrives in the years to come, is something that I will devote myself to with energy and enthusiasm.”

Iona Lawrence said:

“It has been an enormous privilege to work with such an extraordinary team of people over the past two years. With a small and incredibly dedicated team at the centre, and an extraordinary network of volunteers and supporters around the country, we’ve been on a journey that none of us will ever forget.

“Nothing will ever make up for the loss of Jo or undo the devastating act of hate that took her from those who loved her so much, but the hard work and determination of so many supporting the Foundation’s work to drive forward her vision for a kinder, fairer and more tolerant world has been humbling to lead. I know I speak for Jo’s sister, Kim, her parents Gordon and Jean, in wishing my successor all the very best and hoping she finds the role every bit as fulfilling as I have.”