After graduating from Hull University with a degree in Drama & English in 1985, Jane worked in theatre, film, television, radio, the record industry and marketing and PR in London.  During this time she was housekeeper to Doris Lessing the novelist.

She moved to the North East in 1996 where she established Joined Up North, a consultancy business specialising in strategic development, regeneration and place marketing though culture, heritage and tourism projects.

Following a move back to her home county of Yorkshire in 2009 she is now working in non-executive roles. She also chairs the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site Partnership Board. She is a director of the York & North Yorkshire LEP.

She was founding chair of Make It York, a destination management and business development company and until recently she chaired the Culture & Place Strategic Advisory Group in Hull. In June 2022, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to volunteering, heritage and the arts.