Abigail Morris, chief executive of Jewish Women’s Aid, is leaving to become director of the new Jewish ethics body, ResponsAbility.

The planned cross-communal agency will focus on business and medical ethics, in addition to human rights and the environment.

Tony Blair’s wife, Cherie Booth, is on the advisory council, together with former interfaith adviser to the government, John Battle MP, and Oxfam chief executive Barbara Stocking.

Ms Morris, who has been chief executive of JWA for 18 months, said: “I am delighted to be taking up this exciting challenge at ResponsAbility. It will build on the rich tradition of ethical thought and action that exists in Judaism and apply it to the moral dilemmas of today.”

But, she said, she was “sad to be leaving JWA — it has grown a lot recently and now has a much higher profile, attracting more money, attention and clients. I hope it will continue to build on all the exciting recent developments.”

JWA’s latest project is “Call Yourself a Mensch”, which aims to encourage men to show their support for the campaign against domestic violence.