Advisory Board

Natalie Byrom

Dr. Natalie Byrom is Director of Research at The Legal Education Foundation where she leads work to build the evidence base for what works in helping individuals to secure their rights.

She sits on the Administrative Justice Council and the Litigants in Person Engagement Group of the Civil Justice Council.

Andrea Coomber KC

Andrea Comber is Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform. Andrea was appointed Queen's Counsel (Honoris Causa) in 2022 for making a major contribution to the development of the law in England and Wales.

She joined the Howard League in 2021, having previously worked at JUSTICE, INTERIGHTS, at the International Service for Human Rights in Geneva and at the South Asia Documentation Centre in New Delhi. She is qualified as a barrister and solicitor in Australia.

Liz Hogarth OBE

Liz Hogarth OBE is former Ministry of Justice lead on women in the criminal justice system. She was awarded an OBE in 2008 for services to women offenders.

Now retired, she continues to advocate for the reforms called for by Baroness Corston, working in a voluntary capacity.

Roma Hooper OBE (Chair)

Roma Hooper OBE is Chair of the CJR Advisory Board.

Roma is the founder of Prison Radio Association and Make Justice Work, and served for a number of years as chairperson at Clinks, which supports, promotes and represents the voluntary sector working with people in the criminal justice system and their families.

Baroness Helena Kennedy KC

Helena Kennedy is a leading barrister and an expert in human rights law, civil liberties and constitutional issues.

She has spent her professional life giving voice to those who have least power within the system, championing civil liberties and promoting human rights.

Professor Julian Roberts

Professor Julian Roberts was a member of the Sentencing Council of England and Wales from 2008-2018.

He is currently Executive Director of the Sentencing Academy, a London-based institute which links scholars with practitioners, and promotes greater public understanding of sentencing in England and Wales.

Andrea Simon

Andrea Simon is the Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, which represents organisations and experts from across the UK working to end violence against women and girls.  Through her work at EVAW she is transforming the political and social systems that enable abuse and discrimination.

Professor Betsy Stanko

Professor Betsy Stanko, OBE, was formerly head of evidence and insight in the Mayor of London’s Office for Policing and Crime.

She is now Visiting Professor at UCL’s Department of Crime Science and Security and City University London’s Sociology Department, and Emeritus Professor of criminology at Royal Holloway, University of London. She is Strategic Advisor And Academic co-lead at the Home Office funded Operation Soteria Bluestone.