JPR News archive
JPR appoints Harold Paisner as Chairman

Wednesday 3 Dec 2008

Harold Paisner, Senior Partner of the City of London law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, has been appointed as the new Chairman of JPR. He replaces Peter L Levy OBE who is stepping down after 16 years as lay head of the independent policy think tank.

Mr Paisner has served on the Board of JPR for 11 years. He is UK National President of the Union Internationale des Avocats, a member of the Paris Bar and a Governor of the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

Mr Levy warmly welcomed Harold Paisner’s appointment: ‘Harold has been involved in the Jewish community in the UK over many years. He knows continental Europe and the United States extremely well and has very close connections with, and a profound commitment to, Israel. I’m sure that all of this, plus his worldwide network of contacts, means that JPR will not only be in safe hands, but will be in excellent shape to meet the challenges of the future.’

Mr Levy was responsible for repositioning JPR as an independent institution. In 1996 he presided over the transformation of the Institute of Jewish Affairs (IJA) to the Institute for Jewish Policy Research. At the end of the 1990s Mr Levy created a broad coalition of philanthropists and communal agencies to support JPR’s groundbreaking social research project Long-Term Planning for British Jewry. More recently, he oversaw JPR’s relocation two months ago from its Wimpole Street premises to its new modern offices in Market Place, London W1.

Mr Paisner paid tribute to his predecessor, praising his commitment and enormous contribution to the Institute over many years. ‘Peter has been fundamental to JPR’s success. I’m delighted that he will remain on the JPR Board in the role of Vice-President. Our close colleague Lord Haskel will continue in his crucial role as JPR President.’

In a further move to prepare JPR for the future, its Director, Antony Lerman, who was close to retirement, has stepped down. ‘I returned for a second stint as JPR’s director almost 3 years ago to reconstruct the organization, develop a new Europe-oriented policy research programme and reposition JPR to face the difficult challenges of the 21st century. The Board and I feel I’ve achieved that goal and we think it’s a good time to prepare the way for a successor, who can continue the renewal process in tandem with Harold Paisner, the new Chairman.’

The outgoing and incoming Chairmen said: ‘We’re deeply grateful to Tony for all he has done for JPR, not only since he was re-appointed Director in 2006, but going back to when he joined IJA as a researcher in 1979. As the professional head of JPR he has led the organization with great distinction and vision.’ Mr Lerman plans to do more writing and work on some personal projects.