A NEW leadership team has been created to drive forward a York-based independent organisation working to solve UK poverty.

Joseph Rowntree Foundation has appointed three directors to join its chief executive officer Paul Kissack.

Graeme Cooke will lead the evidence, economics, and policy teams to better understand the causes and nature of poverty across the UK and develop policy solutions.

He is currently director of inclusive growth at the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, where he is responsible for regeneration, housing, planning, economic development, employment, energy, and environment.

Sophia Parker will lead a major new programme of work, to grow radical new approaches to tackling poverty, working with partners and people with lived experience of poverty.

Sophia has just stepped down as CEO of Little Village, the London-based charity she founded in 2016 that works to tackle child poverty.

Frank Soodeen will lead JRF’s public engagement, grassroots advocacy and campaigning work.

He has been promoted from his role as JRF’s deputy director for External Affairs, responsible for developing and leading a strategy, in partnership with others, to build more political will to solve poverty.

Paul Kissack said: “In the years ahead, we must turn the rising tide of poverty and destitution in the UK.

"As we continue to shape the JRF’s role in that work, I am delighted the organisation will be led by a team which combines such a wealth of talent and experience."