Justin Russell
Biography
Justin joined the Ministry of Justice as a Non-Executive Board Member on 11 May 2026.
Justin was the Director General for Families Group at the Department for Education from October 2023 to September 2025 before retiring from the Civil Service.
Justin’s previous roles in government include:
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HM Chief Inspector of Probation
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Director General of the Offender Reform and Commissioning Group at the Ministry of Justice where he was responsible for the Prison Safety and Reform Programme
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Senior Policy Adviser on home affairs in the No10 Policy Unit
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Head of the Violent Crime Unit in the Home Office where he led the Ending Gang and Youth Violence Programme
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Director at the Department for Work and Pensions where he was responsible for the Employment and Support Allowance Reform Programme and Director for disability employment and support
Non-executive board member
Our Non-executives are senior figures from outside the department who bring a diverse mix of expertise and skills from across the public and private sector. They all:
- give guidance and advice to MOJ leaders and ministers
- support and challenge management on the department’s strategic direction
- provide support in monitoring and reviewing progress
Previous roles in government
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Director General, Families
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Director General, Offender Reform and Commissioning Group