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First woman of colour directly elected as Mayor in any UK city.
Former Mayor of Liverpool, leading on diversity, inclusion, and employment.
Over 30 years of public service and social justice leadership.
Founder of BlaST, Liverpool’s first Black-led social enterprise.
Powerful speaker on race, gender equity, leadership, and systemic change.
Joanne Anderson is a pioneering political leader, trailblazer and advocate for racial and social justice, best known for making history as the first woman of colour to be directly elected as Mayor in any UK city. During her tenure as Mayor of Liverpool City Council, she led with integrity and vision, transforming organisational culture and tackling issues surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion. As a BAME speaker, Joanne draws from her lived experience as a Black woman in politics, offering a powerful perspective on race, gender, leadership and resilience.
With over 30 years in public service, Joanne’s professional journey has always centred around social equity. She has served as Managing Director of Innervision Consultancy, offering equality and diversity training to organisations across sectors. She also held influential roles as Area Manager for the Homes and Communities Agency and Equality and Diversity Policy Advisor for the Crown Prosecution Service. Joanne is also the Founder and Executive Director of BlaST, Liverpool’s first Black-led social enterprise—an initiative committed to uplifting underrepresented communities through enterprise and education.
Joanne’s work in social justice has been widely recognised. She was featured on Vogue’s ‘25 List’ in 2021, a prestigious recognition of women affecting global change. Her dedication to eradicating violence against women and girls, and her leadership during one of Liverpool’s most challenging political eras, while battling breast cancer, highlight her strength, perseverance and deep commitment to community welfare. Under her leadership, Liverpool was chosen to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, reflecting the city’s renewed energy and pride.
As a speaker, Joanne is known for her authenticity, clarity and ability to connect with diverse audiences. She speaks powerfully on topics including racial equality, intersectionality, women in leadership, social impact and the challenges of creating inclusive political and organisational systems. Her speeches are rooted in personal experience, political strategy and a vision for systemic change that inspires and motivates. If you’re seeking a passionate, eloquent and experienced BAME speaker who can address topics at the heart of equity, leadership and justice, hire Joanne Anderson today.
Joanne Anderson is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:
“Jo provided a powerful and thought-provoking presentation during a recent Arup senior management conference dinner attended by over 150 senior staff, clients and collaborators. The speech promoted much discussion and conversation throughout the dinner and beyond. We would not hesitate recommending Jo to others for similar engagements.”
“Community, Culture and Passion wrapped up in a truly authentic and inspiring Leader – Jo brings it all to life.”
The BAME Speakers Agency has been one of the UK’s leading bureaus for Black, Asian and minority ethnic speakers since 2020. We supply speakers for corporate and public events across the world, and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars.
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