Jo-Ann is a seasoned HR and OD professional with extensive experience across both the public and private sector, particularly in the education sector. Her career has been defined by a strong focus on people management, HR systems development, and organisational change leadership.
Jo-Ann started her career in HR/OD with Blackburn with Darwen Primary Trust, where she designed and delivered tailored development programs for General Practitioners and dental practices across Blackburn and Darwen. She progressed into an HR Advisor role, subsequently playing a pivotal role in supporting the local council to disband of the Primary Care Trusts, putting into practice her expertise in complex redundancy situations and TUPE transfers.
Jo-Ann moved onto Blackburn College, where she played a key role in the development of the College’s single central record, and supported the implementation of a new HR system.
In 2013, Jo-Ann took on the HR Manager role for a school within the maintained sector. The school had recently moved away from the local authority and hired Jo-Ann to bring the HR function in-house. She successfully established and managed the HR operational function, designed policies, and ensured compliance with legislative requirements. In this role, she managed the consultation process for changes to terms and conditions across the whole school, as well as implementing innovative payroll software to optimise HR processes.
In 2018, Jo-Ann secured a Head of HR/Operations role within the independent sector, where she was responsible for developing and leading a comprehensive HR operational function for the school, ensuring that HR practices aligned with the institution’s strategic objectives. This role involved leading several large-scale organisational changes, including the consolidation of three school sites into a single location. She led the consultation process for transitioning Peripatetic Teachers to self-employed status, and advised and consulted on the transition away from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme to a Defined Contribution Scheme.
