Karen Johnson, Director of the new Derby City and Neighourhood Partnerships, was formally the Director of Derby Community Safety Partnership. Karen has almost 30 years of public service experience – much of it spent working in partnership with a range of agencies, services and communities.

Before joining Derby, Karen was Head of Safer Stronger Communities in Kirklees, developing and leading strong partnership working at a strategic and Neighbourhood level. The strength of these partnerships were tested many times – particularly post 7/7 and during other high profile incidents.

Karen has managed and led a number of services and initiatives including community development, community cohesion, preventing violent extremism, anti social behaviour, domestic violence, street workers projects, hate crime, community buildings, voluntary sector development, community engagement and neighbourhood management.

Karen has also been involved in a number of voluntary sector roles including Chair of a Women’s Refuge and Director of a community run regeneration company.