Mark Russell

Mark is Chief Executive of The Children’s Society and leads a team of 850 staff and 10,000 volunteers working to support some of the most vulnerable children in the country. He is committed to disrupting the disadvantage that many of our children and young people face today and has a passion and determination to protect, support and speak up for children and young people.

Mark is from County Armagh in Northern Ireland and read Law at Queen’s University in Belfast. After a few years in the private sector, Mark moved into youth work – working in one of the most divided towns in Northern Ireland at the time, bringing Protestant and Catholic young people together in the run up to the Good Friday Agreement.

Before moving to The Children’s Society, Mark worked with children and young people for 20 years and was Chief Executive of social justice charity, Church Army.

‘I want children and young people to know that someone cares, someone listens and someone will help. So they can thrive not just survive.’

‘For over 20 years I have worked with young people and have seen how poverty, disadvantage and fear can trap children and radically change their present and their future. My dream is that every child should walk tall and be the best they can be’

Mark is a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts and in his spare time loves to travel, keep fit and watch Netflix boxsets!