We are delighted to welcome Joanna Stocks as our new Treasurer and Trustee.

Joanna Stocks said: ‘I’m delighted to be joining the Board of English PEN. As one of the world’s oldest human rights organisations, PEN plays a vital role in championing literary freedom and promoting diverse voices and I look forward to supporting this important work.’

Maureen Freely, Chair of Trustees, English PEN said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Joanna Stocks as our new treasurer and trustee. It’s a huge privilege to gain Joanna’s expertise in the financial sector along with her knowledge of, and passion for, literature and freedom of expression. We very much look forward to working with her as we reflect on the past 100 years of PEN and, together, strive toward a world with free expression and equity of opportunity for all readers and writers.’

Joanna Stocks is a senior investor who has worked in financial services for the last twenty years, specialising in the portfolio management of multi-asset and alternative investment funds. She has worked for large investment firms such as Standard Life Aberdeen and M&G Investments. Joanna started her career at Reuters where, amongst other responsibilities, she worked in the news function focussing on editorial standards.

As an arts and languages graduate, Joanna has a keen understanding of the importance of freedom of expression and has spent time researching the role of literature in periods of political repression. She has lived in Switzerland, Germany and France, taught English in Tanzania and volunteered in Tibet. Joanna takes a strong interest in fostering diversity and inclusion and promoting change through social engagement. She has worked as Co-Chair of a diversity network in the investment industry and is also a mentor for the Social Mobility Foundation.