A qualified accountant, Jo’s career began with Ernst & Young, before broadening her experience with companies such as Northern Foods, Matalan and Asda. Jo has deep retail experience across the clothing, general merchandise and food sectors having led teams in operations, e-commerce, buying, merchandising and strategy. As CEO, she led the turnaround of the Coop Food business over a six year period by focusing on customer and proposition innovation. Jo recently left Matalan, after leading the transformation of the business and strengthening its profitability, to embark on a portfolio career. Jo is passionate about inclusivity and mentoring and is a pioneer of the women’s network Grocery Girls, a trailblazing initiative that is now expanding under Young Foodies.

Jo was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2021 New Year honours for services in feeding the nation during the Covid pandemic and has previously been awarded the prestigious Veuve Clicquot Businesswoman of the Year prize.