Bristol Refugee Rights’ Post

We are happy to announce the appointment of our new CEO. Danielle Johnson, a leader in national and local support for refugees and people seeking asylum, is joining Bristol Refugee Rights (BRR) as its new Chief Executive Officer. Danielle brings a wealth of experience to the South West’s largest asylum seeker and refugee charity. Danielle was formerly the Head of Integration and Refugee and Migrant Portfolio at Groundwork and most recently the Refugee, Migrant, and Asylum Seeker Lead for the London Borough of Hackney. She has worked with communities including refugees and asylum seekers for more than 20 years, with Oxfam, Fairtrade, Groundwork and Hackney Council. She has established and led on fundraising and managing large departments, and introduced trauma-informed practice. Danielle has improved recruitment practices resulting in 50% staff with lived experience. Having worked with refugees in London, Palestine and Calais, and from refugee heritage herself, Danielle has a personal drive to lead a welcoming response for displaced people. “I am delighted to be offered the opportunity to lead the already excellent work of Bristol Refugee Rights. I bring passion and drive, and I’m looking forward to leading the organisation to achieve the strategic goals as well as ensuring an organisation that is strong, resilient, agile, innovative, and wellbeing focused, to enable the continuing life-changing work taking place.” Bristol Refugee Rights Chair Cyril Babeev: “Bristol Refugee Rights Board of Trustees and I are delighted to have Danielle join us as our next CEO. Danielle is an accomplished leader in the refugee and asylum seeker sector, bringing with her decades of experience. We are excited to have Danielle on board and look forward to working with her in continuing delivering exceptional services to refugees and asylum seekers, growing as an organisation and further developing our partnerships. We thank Andrew McCarthy for being an excellent Acting CEO in the time of transition and are thrilled for this next chapter of Bristol Refugee Rights.” Danielle will officially join Bristol Refugee Rights on the 25th of March.