The Dartington Hall Trust appoints Dame Jo Williams as a Trustee

The Dartington Hall Trust announces today the appointment of Dame Jo Williams as a trustee.

Dame Jo Williams is currently Chair of the Prison Reform Trust, a Non-Executive Director of the Department of Communities and Local Government and the interim Chair of the Care Quality Commission. She also holds a number of other positions within the voluntary sector. In 2007, she was awarded the D.B.E. for her work with people with a learning disability and in 2009 she was appointed a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire County Council.

From 2003 to 2008, Dame Jo Williams was Chief Executive of Mencap, managing a budget of £170 million and leading a workforce of over 6,500 people. During her five years with the charity, she modernised its internal structure and, through a concerted media relations campaign, raised its profile as a leading ambassador and champion for people with learning disabilities and their families.

Prior to joining Mencap, Dame Jo Williams was Director of Social Services at Cheshire County Council (1997 – 2002) and Director of Social Services at Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council (1992 – 1997).

More recently, in 2006, Dame Jo Williams established the Learning Disability Coalition that brought together ten separate organisations to create a single lobbying body concerned with the resourcing of learning disability services.

Commenting on her appointment, Sir David Green, Chairman of Dartington’s Board of Trustees said, “Social justice is one of The Trust’s main programme areas. Through its four core activities, Research in Practice, the Centre for Excellence in Outcomes in Children and Young People’s Services, Research in Practice for Adults and the Devon School for Social Entrepreneurs, we are already working with 75% of the local authorities in England and Wales, and their social workers who work with vulnerable families, adults, young people and children, and also supporting social entrepreneurs to be able to make their causes and passions make a positive difference to others.

“I am delighted to be able to announce Dame Jo Williams’ appointment as a Trustee. Her lifelong commitment to the disadvantaged and those at risk in our society is remarkable, “he added.

Dame Jo Williams commented, “In many of my professional roles, both past and current, I have been familiar with Dartington’s work in Social Justice. The work that they do, the bedrock of independence that Dartington provides, and their commitment to pursuing social justice for all is commendable, and I am proud and thrilled to be able to have the chance to support this core programme and the overall ambitions of The Trust,” she added.

Dame Jo Williams officially joined the Board of Trustees on March 19, 2010.

For a full list of our trustees click here