Julie Jones: Julie Jones, The FoRB Foundation co-founder, is a distinguished advocate for human rights and religious freedom, serving as the Director of the UK APPG FoRB. With over 15 years of experience in the FoRB space, Julie has played a pivotal role in raising awareness of faith-based and belief-based violations globally, ensuring that these critical issues remain at the forefront of political discourse.
Her work has taken her across the world, where she has accompanied UK government officials to regions facing severe FoRB and human rights violations. Julie has also been instrumental in leveraging the support of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to implement sanctions targeting leadership in countries where violations such as child marriages and employment discrimination based on faith or no faith occur.
Julie’s background in interfaith relations includes her tenure as a trustee for the Interfaith Network (IFN) for the devolved nations, representing the Interfaith Council for Wales (ICW). In this role, she worked tirelessly to promote unity and understanding among diverse faiths and those of no belief across communities in the UK. An outspoken advocate for the voiceless, Julie draws attention to parliament on atrocities committed globally based on faith or belief. Her efforts have catalyzed international political support to reduce violations and promote FoRB awareness. Recently, the UK government has entrusted Julie with delivering FoRB workplace training for all UK civil servants, a significant milestone in fostering Religious Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) within government institutions. Julie’s unwavering dedication and leadership continue to inspire action and bring hope to those whose rights are most at risk.
Matthew Jones is a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience in charity management, real estate development, and training. As Co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of The FoRB Foundation, he is deeply committed to promoting and protecting freedom of religion or belief (FoRB). Since 2022, he has spearheaded strategic planning and program development, fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders to support vulnerable populations and advance social change. Matthew’s dedication to FoRB is reflected in his leadership of innovative initiatives that raise awareness, recover rights, and rebuild lives for those affected by religious persecution. He actively engages with interfaith dialogues and policy discussions, contributing to a global effort to uphold Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
His diverse background includes over two decades as Director of Maxiom Limited, where he led sustainable housing projects, and 25 years as a Training Manager, designing programs to bridge skill gaps and enhance leadership. Fluent in English and Welsh, with proficiency in Spanish, Matthew’s expertise spans strategic planning, program design, and stakeholder engagement, all of which he leverages to further the mission of The FoRB Foundation.
Through his work, Matthew continues to champion human rights, ensuring freedom of belief is a universal reality.
