Better Business / Member profile
‘A Better Bristol is one where opportunity isn’t determined by postcode or background’
Julian Mines is the chief executive of Bristol Charities. Born-and-bred in Bristol, with a career spanning education, business and the charity sector, Julian is driven by purpose-led leadership and long-term social value, working to tackle inequality and strengthen communities across the city.
What does a Better Bristol mean to you?
I’m a born-and-bred Bristolian, and that shapes everything I do. This city is part of who I am — it’s where I grew up, where my values were formed, and where I’ve chosen to build my life and career. I’m incredibly proud of Bristol, but loving a place also means being honest about its challenges and feeling a responsibility to help change them.
A Better Bristol, to me, is one where opportunity isn’t determined by postcode or background. It’s a city that celebrates its creativity and diversity while taking real, collective action on inequality. That means stronger communities, a fairer economy, and organisations across all sectors working together with a shared sense of purpose.
Born-and-bred in Bristol, with a career spanning education, business and the charity sector, Julian is driven by purpose-led leadership and long-term social value
What’s the one thing that inspires you to get up in the morning?
It’s the people behind the statistics. Growing up in Bristol, I saw first-hand how small interventions — a mentor, a bit of support at the right moment — can change the direction of someone’s life.
At Bristol Charities, I’m inspired every day by the individuals and communities who show resilience and hope in the face of real challenges. Knowing that our work helps create pathways forward in the city I love is what keeps me motivated.
If you could pick one thing to change about Bristol, what would it be?
I’d want to see us confront inequity with greater urgency and more collective, cohesive action. Bristol has huge wealth, talent and innovation, yet too many people remain excluded from its success. If we could align our resources, ambition and compassion more effectively, we could be a city that truly works for everyone.
What action could you take as an individual? What action could your organisation take?
As an individual, it’s about listening carefully, staying connected to the communities we serve, and being willing to challenge comfortable assumptions.
As an organisation, Bristol Charities has a responsibility to use its platform to bring people together, invest in long-term solutions, and support initiatives that create lasting change rather than short-term fixes.
What do you want to see from the Bristol business community in the next five years?
I’d love to see more businesses view themselves as active partners with the charity sector and as co-drivers of change and innovation, not just employers or investors.
That means embedding social value into decision-making, sharing skills and influence, and forming meaningful partnerships with charities and communities.
In return, I would like to explore how the charity sector can offer new ways for the business community to engage that could create radical solutions whilst minimising disruption to business activity. The potential impact of that collective effort is enormous.
Bristol Charities is one of the city’s oldest independent charitable organisations, with a long-standing commitment to improving lives and strengthening communities across Bristol
Can you describe the career journey that has led you to where you are today?
My career hasn’t followed a single, predictable path. I’ve moved across sectors and roles, including education, business and the charity sector, often guided more by values than job titles. Each experience taught me something — about leadership, about people, and about the kind of impact I wanted to have. Over time, it became clear that my strongest motivation came from work that combined purpose with long-term social value.
Tell us about one (or more) of the people who inspired you along the way
I’ve been inspired by leaders who led with passion, integrity and humility — people who took time to mentor, to listen, and to trust others. Some of the most influential figures in my journey weren’t the most senior, but those who showed me the importance of empathy, living with ambiguity, determination, vision-shaping, and doing the right thing even when it wasn’t easy.
Are there any memorable challenges you have faced along the way?
Leading through uncertainty has been one of the biggest challenges. Whether it’s navigating organisational change or responding to wider social pressures, there are moments when there are no clear answers. Those experiences reinforced for me that honesty, transparency and compassion are essential leadership tools, especially during difficult times.
What is the most important thing for you to focus on in business?
People and purpose. Strong strategy matters, but it only succeeds when people feel valued, supported and connected to the mission. Culture isn’t something that sits alongside the work — it is the work.
If you had one piece of advice to offer people aspiring to your role, what would it be?
Take your time and stay true to your values. Learn from setbacks, seek out mentors, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Leadership is less about having all the answers and more about creating the conditions for others to thrive.
Bristol Charities works closely with charities, businesses, public sector partners and community groups, recognising that lasting change happens when organisations come together around shared goals
If you could change one thing about your sector, or Bristol as a whole, what would it be?
I’d like to see more long-term thinking, innovation and trust-based collaboration. Too often we rely on short-term solutions to deep-rooted problems. Real change requires patience, risk-taking, embracing failure as learning, partnership and sustained investment — that’s more than one thing!
What are your aspirations for the future — personally and for Bristol?
Personally, I want to continue learning and contributing in ways that feel meaningful and grounded in purpose.
For Bristol, my hope is that we become known not just as a creative and innovative city, but as a fair one — a city that genuinely looks after its people and leaves no one behind.
All photos: Bristol Charities
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