Jo Williams joined Mencap as chief executive in March 2003. Mencap is the UK's leading learning disability charity, working with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.

1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability, which will affect their intellectual and social development all their lives. Mencap provides services - in housing, education, employment and advocacy - and fights for the changes that people with a learning disability want.

Jo began her career in 1971 as a social worker at Shropshire County Council. She moved to Cheshire County Council in 1973 and spent the next 19 years in a variety of operational roles.

In 1992, Jo began five years as the director of social services at Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council. She then moved on the post of director of social services at Cheshire County Council; a role she held until 2002.

During 1999 and 2000, Jo was president of the Association of Directors of Social Services. She is a member of the Association of the Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations, and was a major contributor to the National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services.  

Jo has served on several government taskforces - she is an advocate for partnership working across different agencies and is passionate about involving service users. She is a trustee of the EveryChild Board, and Chair of the Research in Practice Partnership Board.

In 2005, Community Care magazine named Jo as the most influential person in social care. She is currently a member of the National Learning Disability Taskforce and co-chaired the Third Sector Taskforce with Ivan Lewis MP, Minister for Health.

Jo was awarded a D.B.E. in the Queen's New Year Honours list 2007.

Jo's interests include ballet, running and entertaining family and friends.

Multimedia as a voice for people who do not use words
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