Campbell Robb, chief executive of housing charity Shelter, will step down in the new year to become chief executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, it was announced yesterday.

Robb leaves Shelter after a period of seven years in charge. Prior to that he was director general of the office of the third sector. He was previously director of public policy at NCVO.

Robb will replace Julia Unwin, who has led the two Joseph Rowntree organisations for a decade. Unwin announced earlier this year that she was stepping down.

JRF is a grant-giver, while JRHT is a housing provider. Both were founded by the Victorian confectioner and philanthropist Joseph Rowntree.

Robb said: “It is with a great deal of sadness that I will be leaving Shelter in the new year, to take up the position of Chief Executive of the JRF. It has been an absolute privilege for me to lead such a brilliant, passionate organisation over the last seven years, however it is now time for me to accept a new challenge and for new leadership to guide Shelter through the next stage of its crucial journey.”

Derek Myers, chair of Shelter, said: “Campbell Robb has been at the heart of Shelter's vital and successful work for the past seven years.  During that time we have helped more people than ever before and campaigned to ensure housing gets given its proper priority.

“JRF and Shelter have much in common, and we know that Campbell will be a brilliant leader there too.”

Tony Stoller, chair of the Rowntree charities, said: “The organisations are looking forward to Campbell’s leadership at a time of extraordinary change and opportunity. He brings a strong track record and commitment to our vision for a prosperous and poverty free UK.

“Julia has been an outstanding leader of JRF and JRHT during her ten years as Chief Executive and has overseen major changes in our research, policy, housing and care work. She leaves both organisations in a strong position to build on their achievements under her leadership, and take them to the next stage of their development.”

Joseph Rowntree was in the news recently following an announcement that a woman in York had had her benefits stopped because she was supposedly in a relationship with the dead philanthropist.