Jo Tanner is a recognized media commentator for UK broadcasters and print media on current affairs. She is passionate about increasing the number of women featured in media commentary and has supported many in her spare time to gain confidence appearing on the airwaves. As a senior director in APCO’s London office, Jo works across public affairs, media relations, and crisis and corporate communications to assist clients navigating media and political challenges. Using her years of experience in Westminster circles, working directly with politicians or connecting nonprofits and FTSE100 clients with government, opposition MPs or political media, Jo now provides senior counsel and creative solutions for clients looking to break through in an increasingly crowded space.
I’m known for straight-talking and providing practical, and often innovative solutions to problems. It’s because I just like getting stuff done – whether navigating a crisis, launching something, persuading people to look at things differently or connecting individuals with others they should know. I’m fortunate I enjoy what I do!
Prior to joining APCO, Jo co-founded and managed a leading boutique, award-winning consultancy for sixteen years, where she ran the PR machine for Boris Johnson’s successful Mayoral Campaign, media-trained leading political and business figures and developed innovative concepts in the public affairs space to improve clients’ networks. Jo has also worked on high-profile High Court actions and global crisis communications projects.
Jo started out as a broadcast journalist working at Independent Television News before becoming a media officer for the Conservative Party. After years working for Her Majesty’s Official Opposition, she left to work in charity and public sector communications and then became communications chief for the British Chamber of Commerce prior to setting up her own.
Passionate about education and mental health, Jo is a trustee of a charity working to prevent teenage suicide and a member of an academy trust board. Taking up football in later life, she also founded the UK Parliamentary Women’s Football Team and was with the team as they set a world record for the biggest ever match in a major game across five days in Lyon, France.