A CHARITY chief in York has been presented with an Outstanding Leadership Award at a national ceremony.

Julia Unwin, chief executive of the York-based Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), picked up the accolade at last night’s 2010 Charity Awards.

The ceremony was hosted by comedian Jo Brand at the Park Lane Hotel, in London.

Daniel Phelan, organiser of the Charity Awards 2010, said: “The variety and sheer number of influential roles Julia has held over the course of her career is astonishing and it’s hard to overstate the impact that her work has had on social policy in the UK. Her indomitable spirit, boundless energy and passion for social justice have driven an impressive range of important causes and issues and helped improve the lives of many people throughout the UK.”

Julia was a member of the Housing Corporation Board for ten years and a Charity Commissioner from 1998 to 2003. She has been deputy chair of the Food Standards Agency and has also worked as an independent consultant operating within Government and the voluntary and corporate sectors.

She has researched and written extensively on the role, governance and funding of the voluntary sector and has been chair of the Refugee Council. She is now a trustee of York Museums and Gallery Trust and also a member of the University of York’s Council.

Julia said: “To receive an award of this sort is such privilege, but the real privilege has been the opportunity to work with such exceptional and important organisations.”