ROTA Appoints Matthew Johnson as New Chief Executive

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Matthew Johnson as our new Chief Executive, starting from 12 February 2025.

Matthew brings a wealth of experience to the role, with a proven track record in income generation, exceptional leadership, and an ability to inspire teams and individuals to achieve their best. He has consistently demonstrated a talent for fostering environments that encourage innovation and collaborative thinking, empowering organisations to thrive in dynamic and challenging contexts.

With significant experience in policy research, Matthew has a deep understanding of the voluntary sector, bringing valuable insights that will shape our strategic vision and drive impactful solutions. He combines strategic acumen with an unwavering commitment to delivering results that align with our mission and values.

Matthew says “It is an honour to take up the role of CEO at ROTA. Since 1984 (before I was born), ROTA has been fighting for people like me. It is my wish to not only acknowledge this legacy but to build upon it side-by-side with our communities. ROTA has an unwavering commitment to the principle of ‘nothing about us without us’. This means truly respecting the dignity of the communities it works with, believing that they already know best.
I will, as I have done in my previous roles, be guided by the powerful principle of Ubuntu, which Nelson Mandela consistently spoke about. That is simply put: ‘I am because we are’. This means putting collaboration with all communities at the heart of social change.
I wholeheartedly believe that ‘If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together’. Given that we still have a long way to go in the fight against structural racial injustice, I look forward to working with our communities, partners and the wider ROTA team to go far and achieve the meaningful change that we dream of.
We are in unprecedented times, which is rife with mis/disinformation from a broad range of actors. Its only aim is to divide us. We therefore require unprecedented knowledge, research, and most importantly, meaningful action to overcome this. Under my leadership, ROTA will strive for excellence in all of these areas.”

Ali Ahmed, Chair of ROTA, says: “We are thrilled to have Matthew join ROTA as Chief Executive. His passion, expertise, and dedication will undoubtedly take ROTA’s work to the next level. On behalf of the Board and staff, I would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our funders, including the City Bridge Foundation and Oak Foundation, for their continued support. Their partnership is instrumental in enabling ROTA to tackle systemic racial injustices and create a more equitable society for all.”

Under Matthew’s leadership, ROTA is poised to amplify its efforts in combating structural racial injustice and promoting policies that drive justice, equity and inclusion. We look forward to collaborating with communities, partners, and funders to achieve meaningful and lasting change.

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Notes to Editors

Race on the Agenda (ROTA) is one of Britain’s leading anti-racist change drivers. Working with communities impacted by systemic racism, ROTA helps create the policies and practices to tackle inequality.