Although he was born in Preston Joe considers himself to be a Blackburnian. He was educated at St Peter’s, Mill Hill, and St Mary's College before going to study geography at Oriel College in Oxford. From University he joined Lancashire County Council as a social worker and from the start in Blackburn East his role involved close working with colleagues from other agencies including the NHS.
Joe has been married for 30 years and has 3 grown up children. A keen footballer his experiences as a hospital in-patient have been as a result of football injuries. He now restricts himself to supporting the Rovers.
A school governor for many years, Joe has an interest in education. He has joined the Board to make a contribution to assisting the Heath Service meet the needs of the people of Blackburn and Darwen. He recognises the links between health education and social care and the need for partnerships between organisations serving the public. He hopes that the knowledge he brings of social care and his and the wider family’s experience of using health care services will be of value to the PCT
