Andrew Neal, Chair
Andrew Neal was born in Hastings and graduated from the University of York with a Masters degree in political philosophy. He went on to train as an accountant and is an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. Between 1987 and 2003, he worked for Unilever in the UK and the Netherlands in a variety of finance and management roles. Andrew then worked for Lancaster University between 2003 and 2012, first as Director of Finance and Resources and then as Chief Operating Officer. He is currently an independent consultant.
Andrew was appointed as a Trustee of JRSST-CT in October 2008. He became Vice Chair in 2013 and was appointed Chair in 2017.
Alison Goldsworthy, Vice Chair
Ali has spent over 25 years working in politics and movement building. The recent focus of her work is to reduce political polarisation when it reaches excessive levels, supporting businesses, nonprofits and universities. In 2021, she co-authored the best selling book Poles Apart. Previously, Ali was Head of Supporter Strategy and Engagement at consumer champion Which?, building the world’s fastest growing consumer movement, and oversaw the successful campaign to introduce opt-out organ donation in Wales. Earlier in her career she worked in Parliament and the Senedd.
In 2016, Ali went to Stanford’s Graduate School of Business as a Sloan Fellow, in 2023 she returned as a lecturer overseeing work on their Leadership for Society program. She continues to divide her time between the UK and US and lives with her husband and son. In her “spare” time she is a powerlifter, and has represented Wales. Ali is the Chair of JRRT.
Ben Whittaker
Photograph and biography coming soon
Craig Westwood
Craig is an experienced leader in the public sector, most recently serving as chief executive of the Legal Services Board, the oversight regulator of the legal profession. He previously spent eight years as Director of Communications, Policy and Research at the Electoral Commission, working across the organisation’s brief with a particular focus on championing the interests and perspective of the voter. He has also worked in corporate affairs consultancy, leading client accounts ranging from major multi-national brands to UK public institutions, and spent a decade in the Civil Service, including three years as a ministerial private secretary.
Craig joined the Board of Trustees of JRSST-CT in October 2025.
Duncan Hames
Duncan Hames leads the public policy, research and advocacy teams of Transparency International UK, the British chapter of the worldwide anti-corruption movement. His work aims to advance integrity in British public life, and stop the flow through the UK of dirty money arising from corruption around the world.
Formerly a Member of Parliament from 2010 until 2015, he attended Cabinet as the parliamentary aide to the Deputy Prime Minister, and also served on the board of the Great Britain China Centre. More recently, he completed a masters degree on conflict, security and development in the War Studies department of King’s College London.
Duncan served for six years of the board of London’s world-leading NHS mental health trust as chair of the audit committee and the senior independent director. He is currently a governor (non-executive director) of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.
Duncan joined the JRSST-CT Board in December 2023, and also sits on the Board of JRRT for whom he chairs the Finance Committee.
Esmat Jeraj
Esmat Jeraj is the interim Executive Director of The Guardian Foundation, where she leads the organisation’s work on press freedom, media viability, news and media literacy, and amplifying underrepresented voices in journalism. She has extensive experience across the charity and non-profit sectors, with a focus on justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, social mobility, and civic engagement.
Beyond her professional roles, Esmat is engaged in community organising and serves as an advisor to grassroots organisations and charities. She has developed and delivered programmes that strengthen leadership and expand opportunities for underrepresented communities.
Esmat was appointed to the Board of JRSST-CT in October 2025.
Jess Garland
Jess Garland is Director of Policy and Research at the Electoral Reform Society. A former Senior Political Adviser to a Shadow Cabinet Minister, Jess has several years’ experience working in the Westminster parliament and has worked on political and constitutional reform issues for over a decade.
Jess has a PhD in Politics from the University of Sussex and holds a Research Masters (MRes) in Government, Policy and Politics from Birkbeck, University of London and a BA (Hons) in Philosophy from UCL. Jess has research expertise and interest in political participation, political party organisation, elections and electoral systems.
Jess joined the Board of JRSST-CT in March 2021.
JRSST-CT Board diversity audit
JRSST-CT is committed to transparency and improving the diversity of our Board. We undertake regular audits of our Board.
In January 2025, our Board was constituted as follows:
Gender: Female 37.5%; Male 62.5%
Ethnicity:
- White: English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British 62.5%;
- White: Any other White background 12.5%;
- Mixed/multiple ethnic groups: White and Black Caribbean 12.5%;
- Mixed/multiple ethnic groups: Any other Mixed/multiple ethnic background 12.5%
Disability: Yes 37.5%; No 62.5%
Age:
- 25-34 0%;
- 35-44 50%;
- 45-54 25%;
- 55-64 12.5%;
- 65+ 12.5%
Sexual orientation: Heterosexual/straight 87.5%; Gay man 12.5%