Biography
Joan joined the Aldersgate Group team as Chair in May 2015.
Joan was elected Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent North at the 1987 general election and represented that constituency for twenty-eight years before stepping down in 2015. In that time, she was shadow spokesperson for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1988–1990) and then for Transport (1990–1995). She was Chair of the influential Environmental Audit Select Committee for five years 2010–2015 and also sat on the Members’ Expenses Committee (2011–2015), National Policy Statements Sub-Committee (2010–2015) and Liaison Committee (2010–2015). Joan has recently been named Politician of the Year (2015) by businessGreen.
Throughout her time in office, Joan championed the public and political profile of issues such as climate change, sustainable transport, alternative energy and responsible government procurement.
She is honorary president of the Institute of Environmental Health Officers and takes a keen interest in public health matters. She takes a particular interest in citizenship, grass roots football and was a member of the All Party Football Group.