A leading advocate for social mobility and regional enterprise, championing positive change across the North of England and beyond.
ABOUT ALISON
Alison Dunn is a values-led leader driven by a deep commitment to fairness, integrity, and inclusion. Guided by a belief that social justice starts with how we lead, Alison works to create environments where people and communities can thrive.
As CEO of the Society Matters Group, she has led a remarkable transformation, taking the organisation from the brink of insolvency to becoming a resilient, purpose-driven enterprise. Under her leadership, the charity has grown year on year, strengthened its financial foundations, and widened its impact across the North East and beyond.
Central to Alison’s approach is a belief that business can and should be a force for good. She has championed bold changes in how her organisation works pioneering a four-day working week, embedding anti-racist principles into every part of the organisation, and nurturing a culture that values collaboration, wellbeing, and accountability.
Her leadership has been recognised regionally and nationally, including awards such as Inspiring Female Business Leader of the Year, North East Charity Leader of the Year, Levelling Up Leader at the Northern Power Awards and has been in the Business Cloud Top 100 Northern Leaders for two consecutive years.
Authentic, compassionate, and forward-thinking, Alison Dunn continues to demonstrate that meaningful leadership isn’t about authority, it’s about values, courage, compassion and the collective power of people working for change.
“Alison Dunn is a passionate social justice advocate who has led Citizens Advice Gateshead to transform the lives of thousands in the North East. Her leadership has resulted in financial gains and significant growth in both staff and services, all while championing cross-sector collaboration to address poverty and inequality. Alison’s a thought leader and a strong voice for people; she’s actively involved in empowering communities and advocating for the views of disadvantaged people within the region.”