Sir Julian Hartley, the recently departed chief executive of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), has been appointed chief executive of Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) and the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT), two of the UK’s most prominent organisations working to tackle poverty and improve housing conditions.
The appointment marks a notable transition from health regulation into the broader social determinants of health, as Hartley prepares to lead organisations that focus on poverty reduction, housing provision and social policy research. His new role is expected to begin in 2026 following his departure from the CQC, where he oversaw reforms aimed at improving regulatory oversight of health and social care providers across England.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation confirmed that Hartley will lead both the research charity and its housing trust, which together aim to reduce poverty and create stronger communities through policy advocacy, evidence-based research and the provision of affordable housing.
Background in NHS leadership and regulation
Hartley brings extensive leadership experience from across the NHS and the wider healthcare system. Before joining the CQC, he served as chief executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, one of the largest hospital organisations in Europe, where he oversaw major programmes focused on digital transformation, research and infrastructure modernisation. At the Care Quality Commission, England’s independent health and social care regulator, Hartley played a key role in efforts to modernise inspection frameworks and integrate digital tools into regulatory oversight.
His tenure coincided with growing scrutiny of care standards and calls for stronger oversight following several high-profile failures within the health and social care sector. Although his time at the regulator was relatively brief, sector observers say his appointment to JRF and JRHT reflects a broader trend of senior health leaders moving into roles focused on addressing the social factors that influence health outcomes.
Addressing poverty as a health issue
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has long argued that poverty is a major driver of poor health outcomes in the UK. The charity conducts research into living standards, income inequality and social policy, while the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust manages thousands of affordable homes and community developments. Public health experts increasingly recognise that housing quality, employment security and income levels are among the most important determinants of health. Poor housing conditions, for example, have been linked to respiratory disease, mental health challenges and long-term chronic illness.
By appointing a leader with deep NHS experience, the organisations are signalling their intention to strengthen the link between social policy and healthcare outcomes. Hartley is expected to focus on expanding research programmes, strengthening partnerships with local authorities and exploring new approaches to community-based housing models that can improve health and wellbeing.
Opportunities for collaboration between housing and health
Hartley’s new role could open the door for closer collaboration between housing organisations and healthcare providers. Policymakers and researchers increasingly view integrated housing and health strategies as a way to reduce long-term pressure on the NHS. Innovations such as digital health monitoring in supported housing, community-based care models and data-driven public health research are expected to play a growing role in tackling health inequalities. For health technology companies and policymakers alike, the shift highlights the expanding role of cross-sector partnerships in addressing the root causes of poor health.
As Hartley prepares to lead the Joseph Rowntree organisations, the challenge will be to combine research, housing development and policy advocacy in ways that reduce poverty while improving health outcomes across the UK. His move from health regulation to social impact leadership underscores an increasingly recognised reality: the future of healthcare may depend as much on housing and social policy as it does on hospitals and clinical innovation.
