We are delighted to announce the appointment of Jools Townsend as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Social Value (ISV). Jools joins us at a pivotal moment for the organisation and the wider social value movement, bringing with her a wealth of experience, energy, and a deep commitment to creating meaningful, lasting change in communities.
Jools is an expert in social impact, sustainable development, and grassroots-led transformation. With over 23 years of experience, she has led and developed organisations, empowered communities, and delivered impactful policy and communications campaigns that drive real-world outcomes. Her work has consistently centred on enabling people and places to thrive, aligning closely with ISV’s mission to advance social value across sectors.
Currently serving as Chief Executive of Community Rail Network, Jools leads a national membership organisation supporting 77 community-based partnerships and over 1,300 volunteer groups. Through this work, she has championed initiatives that help communities unlock greater social value from rail, promoting greener travel, improving connectivity, and ensuring communities have a voice in transport development. Her leadership has strengthened collaboration between communities, industry, and local authorities, creating more inclusive and resilient places.
Prior to this, Jools spent a decade at Brake, the road safety charity, where she led high-profile campaigns and national events that influenced public awareness and policy. She also held senior communications and policy roles at Better Start Bradford and East Thames Group, further demonstrating her ability to shape strategy and deliver impact across diverse social challenges.
Alongside her professional achievements, Jools has remained deeply engaged at a local level. She has chaired Streatham Common Community Garden and served as a village councillor in one of Yorkshire’s first rural communities to declare a climate emergency, reflecting her strong belief in grassroots leadership and community action.
Jools holds a Master’s degree in Political Communication, focusing on how the community and voluntary sector can drive socially positive change in sustainability, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in English. Her academic background complements her practical experience, giving her a well-rounded perspective on the systems and narratives that shape social value.
At ISV, we are confident that Jools’ vision, leadership, and passion will help us deepen our impact, expand our reach, and continue to champion the importance of social value in decision-making across sectors.
What This Means for ISV
Jools’ appointment marks an exciting new chapter for ISV. As we look to the future, her leadership will support us to:
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Strengthen our role as a leading voice in the social value movement
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Build deeper partnerships across public, private, and voluntary sectors
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Amplify the importance of social impact in policy and practice
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Support our members and stakeholders to deliver meaningful change
Her experience in uniting communities, influencing policy, and driving collaborative action positions ISV to continue growing its influence and impact.
A Note from Jools
“I am thrilled to be joining the Institute for Social Value at such an important time, and excited for what the future holds for the organisation and the wider movement for change that it empowers and supports. The social value field has never been more critical in surfacing what really matters, and shaping fairer, greener, more connected communities. I can’t wait to get started, working with the team, board, members, and partners to build on the fantastic work already underway and to help drive forward a shared vision for positive change.”
Board Reflections on our new CEO and the recruitment process
From Co-chairs Francesca Salussolia and Penny Anderson:
“The recruitment process attracted an exceptional field of candidates, each bringing impressive credentials and a genuine commitment to advancing social value. Choosing between such strong applicants was not easy, but Jools stood out for her rare combination of strategic vision, sector expertise, and proven ability to lead organisations through growth and change. Her track record of building partnerships, amplifying community voice, and delivering real impact aligns closely with where ISV needs to go next. As a board, we are united in our excitement for this next chapter and have every confidence that Jools will help ISV build on its foundations and step into a more influential and ambitious future.”
Please join us in welcoming Jools Townsend to ISV. We look forward to the journey ahead under her leadership. Jools starts in post on 2 July 2026.
