Jo-Anne qualified as a registered nurse in the 1980’s and worked in NHS roles in London, Northampton and Leicester before moving to work with older people in community settings in the late 1990’s. Jo-Anne started working for the Royal British Legion in 2003 as a registered manager. She led the home through their first inspection in 36 years and introduced a culture of person centeredness, innovation, change and excellence.

Jo-Anne is Chair of the South Warwickshire Skills for Care Registered Managers Network and co-Chair of the Midlands Social Care Nursing Advisory Council (SCNAC)

Jo-Anne is passionate about the importance and value of nurses in the care sector, supporting and developing the workforce, using research and QI to enhance the daily lives of people using the service, the care and support of veterans and sustainability in both her personal and work life.

In 2020 Jo-Anne was made a Queen’s Nurse, was awarded an MBE in 2022 New Year’s Honours List for Services to Veteran’s and received the CNO Gold Award in 2025.