Rob Whiteman and Justin Russell appointed to influential Ministry of Justice board roles
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed the appointment of two senior figures to its Departmental Board, with Rob Whiteman named Lead Non-Executive Director and Justin Russell appointed as a Non-Executive Director. The appointments were approved by the Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor, and Secretary of State for Justice and were formally announced on 12 May 2026.
Whiteman will serve as Lead Non-Executive Director for a one-year term running from 5 May 2026 until 4 May 2027. Russell has been appointed for a three-year term as Non-Executive Director, beginning on 11 May 2026 and ending on 10 May 2029.
The Ministry of Justice said non-executive board members play a key role in advising ministers and senior officials while supporting oversight of the department’s strategic direction and performance. Non-executive directors are drawn from outside government and are appointed to provide independent expertise, challenge and guidance across major operational and policy issues.
Whiteman currently serves as chair of ReSI PLC and has held the role since 2016. Since 2025, he has also acted as Cluster Chair for several NHS organisations, including NHS Bath & North East Somerset, Wiltshire & Swindon, NHS Dorset, and NHS Somerset.
His other current positions include Treasurer and Council Member at Queen Mary University of London, a role he has held since 2024. In 2025, he was appointed Chair of ARC and Senior Independent Director for National Highways.
Before taking on his current portfolio of roles, Whiteman spent two decades in chief executive positions across the public sector. Most recently, he served as chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy until 2024.
Russell joins the Ministry of Justice board following a series of senior government roles spanning justice, education, and welfare policy. Between October 2023 and September 2025, he served as Director General for Children and Families at the Department for Education.
He previously held the position of HM Chief Inspector of Probation from 2019 to 2023. Earlier roles included Director General for Justice Analysis and Offender Policy at the Ministry of Justice between 2016 and 2019, where he oversaw the Prison Safety and Reform Programme.
Russell also served as Director for Disability Employment and Support at the Department for Work and Pensions from 2014 to 2016. The Ministry of Justice said the appointments would strengthen the department’s leadership and governance through additional expertise from across the public and private sectors.