Phil Bowen
Biography
Phil joined the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales as a Board Member in February 2023 and was appointed as its Interim Chair on 12 February 2026.
He was Director of the Centre for Justice Innovation, leading the organisation and overseeing the implementation of its overarching strategy since 2012. During that time, he has been a policy fellow to 2 Lord Chancellors. Prior to running the Centre, Phil spent the majority of his career in the British civil service, working for the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, and as an adviser on criminal justice reform in the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit.
Chair, Youth Justice Board
The non-executive chair of the departmental management board reports to the Secretary of State for Justice and is responsible for the reviewing of the YJB’s strategic direction.