Barry Johnston

Founding Partner, Purpose Union

Barry Johnston is a Founding Partner at Purpose Union, a social purpose strategy firm based in East London. He has extensive experience in external affairs, advocacy, and stakeholder management, with a focus on influencing public and policy debates across various regions including Ireland, the UK, EMEA, and North America.1 4

Professional Background

Current Role: Founding Partner at Purpose Union since January 2019. The firm specializes in helping organizations drive social change while achieving strategic objectives through effective communication and advocacy.2 3
Previous Positions:
- Director of Advocacy at the Malala Fund (2016-2019)
- Head of Advocacy at Action Aid UK (2014-2016)
- Senior UK Political Advisor at Christian Aid (2012-2014)
- Public Affairs Officer at Amnesty International (2008-2011).1

Education

Barry holds advanced degrees including:

MSc in Psychological Research Methods from Birkbeck College, University of London.
MA in International Relations from Dublin City University.
BA in Psychology from the National University of Ireland, Galway.1 4

Philosophy and Approach

At Purpose Union, Johnston emphasizes the importance of aligning business strategies with social purpose. He believes that companies should act with defined social objectives to create meaningful impact. His leadership style focuses on building strong teams and fostering a creative culture within the organization.2 3