The Corston Independent Funders’ Coalition, a new alliance of 19 charitable trusts and foundations, has appointed Antonia Bance as its advocate and spokesperson.

Antonia joins the Coalition from Oxfam and will lead the Coalition’s ambitious programme to press for full implementation of the Corston reforms for women in the criminal justice system.

Antonia said, “I am passionate about transforming the way disadvantaged women are treated by our criminal justice system. In this climate of economic and political change, it’s time to reassess locking up so many women at such great cost to the women themselves, their families and wider society. Trusts and foundations have decades of experience of funding in this area – and I look forward to bringing their voice to the table.”

Teresa Elwes of the Bromley Trust, the Chair of the Coalition, said: “We are delighted that Antonia is joining us. It is rare for funders to collaborate strategically in this way, but we have come to realise that systematic change requires a different approach. Antonia’s background in policy and advocacy will help us work with government, opposition and other policymakers to fundamentally reform how the criminal justice system treats women.”