Justin Russell

Biography

Justin Russell was the Director General for Families Group at the Department for Education from October 2023 to September 2025.

Justin’s previous roles in government include:

HM Chief Inspector of Probation
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
Senior Policy Adviser on home affairs in the No10 Policy Unit
Head of the Violent Crime Unit in the Home Office where he led the Ending Gang and Youth Violence Programme
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