Born from Experience. Driven by Purpose.
Born into poverty. Raised in a broken home. Homeless at 18. Today, an multi-award-winning former financial services leader, helping organisations unlock hidden talent and drive equity from the inside out.
For more than 20 years, I’ve navigated the corporate world not as a typical insider, but as someone from a working-class background. I know first-hand what it feels like to face barriers that others never see - missing networks, unspoken cultural rules and lack of sponsorship that silently block individuals from progressing.
I’ve lived the reality that socio-economic background can be the quietest, yet most damaging barrier in the workplace. My mission is to dismantle these barriers for others.
This isn’t just a personal story - it’s a systemic issue that businesses can no longer afford to ignore. Red Lotus Consultancy was founded to change that reality. Jo partners with organisations committed to creating real pathways for social mobility and transforming workplace cultures so talent can thrive- not just survive.
Unlock Potential.
Elevate Performance.
Change the Future.
A future where talent thrives without barriers where equitable career pathways empower individuals from all backgrounds to bloom to their full potential.
Businesses that lead with purpose, cultivating inclusive workplaces that spark innovation, accelerate growth and elevate performance
Jo's
Vision
Jo's
Mission
Jo turns social mobility into strategy — and strategy into impact.
Through transformative solutions, Jo empowers individuals, reshape careers and help businesses build workplaces where talent thrives - not just survives.
Jo partners with organisations to break barriers, unlock potential and embed equity into their workforce strategies - because success should be defined by ability, not background.
Jo's social mobility journey
From Childhood Adversity to Award-Winning Leadership
Jo’s journey proves that potential is everywhere - if we know how to look.
Jo built a 20-year leadership career in financial services, rising to
senior roles at Nationwide, the world’s largest building society.
She held leadership roles across commercial banking, operations,
and inclusion earning “Leader of the Year” in 2020 for guiding the business
through uncertainty with calm and conviction.
But her journey didn’t start from a professional background.
It began in poverty, the care system and bereavement.
Jo experienced multiple barriers before her career ever started - losing her mum at 18, becoming homeless and navigating a system not designed for someone like her to succeed. And yet, she rose. Not through privilege but through relentless perseverance, belief and leadership on her own terms.
Jo led award-winning inclusion work, launching Nationwide’s social mobility employee network and strategy; developing pioneering programmes that used data and storytelling to unlock hidden talent.
Her impact recognised nationally:
-
Women in Credit: Significant Contribution to the industry (2023)
-
Finalist, Social Mobility champion of the Year (2023)
-
Social Mobility Network of the Year (2024)
-
Finalist, HR Leader of the Year (2024)
Today, as Founder of Red Lotus Consultancy, Jo brings that lived expertise to organisations ready to drive real change. She advises executives, mentors professionals from overlooked backgrounds and speaks powerfully about what it takes to build cultures where talent thrives, not just survives.
Jo’s life and leadership prove one thing: Ability should define success—not background.
