Co-opted December 2018 (ratified in March 2019)
Jo joined WAY as a member in 2018 following the death of her wife Paula. She was co-opted onto the charity’s Board in December 2018 after she approached the Board to highlight the lack of diversity. She became Chair in June 2021.
Jo has been Chair of a charity called the Women’s Project, which provides support and guidance to survivors of domestic abuse. She also campaigned with Stonewall for the right to have a civil partnership and then marriage for same-sex couples. She and Paula married in 2006.
Jo was previously employed by one of the largest housing management software and specialist services providers in the UK and has more than 20 years’ experience in the public and third sector. Currently she is the Managing Director of a Removals, Storage & Logistics Company and the Non-Executive of newly created limited company responsible for delivering key environmental and building maintenance operations in addition to having her own business consultancy firm.
Jo told us: “I joined the Board to increase diversity and inclusion within the charity. WAY has moved on in leaps and bounds in recent years, but we still have some way to go. Since our 25th birthday in 2022 we have refreshed our brand and are focussed on increasing our visibility as a charity. WAY has been such a lifeline for me and I want to make sure that everybody who has lost their partner at a young age – married or not, with or without children, inclusive of sexual orientation, gender, race and religion – knows about WAY.”
You don't have to face widowhood alone.
If you've lost your partner before your 51st birthday and live in the UK – whether you were married or not, with or without children, whatever your sexual orientation, race or religion – you are welcome to join us.
Joining up to WAY takes minutes and costs just £30 a year, which can be paid either by direct debit or PayPal.