Emmanuel House Support Centre is delighted to announce the appointment of Isabella Harriss as its new Chief Executive, from 5th November 2025, following the retirement of CEO Denis Tully.
Isabella joins Emmanuel House from the national homelessness charity Housing Justice, where she served as Programme Director. With a career rooted in homelessness and drug and alcohol recovery support, Isabella played a crucial role in coordinating emergency accommodation services across the UK in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. She has also been instrumental in delivering the Night Shelter Transformation Fund, a flagship government initiative aimed at improving the quality of night shelter accommodation for people experiencing rough sleeping.
A Nottingham resident, Isabella’s connection to Emmanuel House began years ago when she volunteered in its night shelter. Her return to lead the organisation marks a full-circle moment in her commitment to supporting people experiencing homelessness.
“With rough sleeping sadly reaching new highs and the wider homelessness crisis affecting thousands of people in Nottingham, we know that there is a huge need for the vital services that Emmanuel House offers,” said Isabella.
“Building on Denis’ incredible legacy of hard work and compassion, it is the privilege of my life to lead Emmanuel House. The root causes of homelessness and rough sleeping are complex, but hope, kindness and love are central to a person’s recovery – and that is what we will continue to offer.
Supporting people out of homelessness and towards stability is a team effort, and I am looking forward to working with the incredible staff, volunteers, trustees and wider community to support people experiencing homelessness in Nottingham.”
Isabella succeeds Denis Tully, who has served as Chief Executive since September 2015, having joined Emmanuel House in 2013. Over the past decade, Denis has been a driving force behind the charity’s strategic growth and service development. Under his leadership, Emmanuel House expanded its accommodation provision, launched the Culturally Specific Support Service, and enhanced the quality of support across all its services.
Denis also led the charity through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring the continuation of emergency accommodation and support services. His tenure saw the cultivation of a thriving volunteer community, with over 150 active volunteers and more than 1,400 hours donated by 51 different business and community groups in the last financial year alone.
“Isabella’s appointment is marvellous news for Emmanuel House. Her present experience at a national level will provide added value to the vision and drive for improving services at a local level” Denis said. “We will see the charity grow and develop for people who need all that Emmanuel house offers, while the essence of what Emmanuel House is continues to flourish.”
“The board of trustees are delighted to welcome Izzy as the new CEO of Emmanuel House. She brings a wealth of experience, a passion to reduce homelessness, and a long-standing connection with the charity. She is a worthy successor to Denis, who has done a tremendous job over the last ten years” said Clive Sillito, Chair of Trustees.
For nearly 50 years, Emmanuel House has been at the heart of Nottingham’s response to homelessness. As Denis steps down and Isabella steps in, the charity remains committed in its mission to provide vital support and pathways out of homelessness for some of the city’s most vulnerable people.
