Jo Whight

Jo Whight is a transformative leader with over twenty years of experience in financial services. A passionate advocate for social mobility, Jo overcame adversity to lead a successful career at Nationwide where she introduced a trailblazing inclusivity network. A dynamic speaker, Jo draws on her own personal lived experience and expertise garnered over a long and successful career at Nationwide to offer unique insights into resilience and social mobility. 

From a young age Jo faced immense challenges, including the loss of her single parent and homelessness by the age of eighteen. But her unrelenting drive and resilience saw her attend the University of Northampton where she earnt her AVCE in Business in Law. Then, in 2005, she began her 20 year tenure at Nationwide as a Mortgage Underwriter. Her career at the company went from strength to strength and she quickly became a Senior Customer Consultant, before becoming a Sales Manager and then an Assistant Lending Manager. In 2012, Jo became the Commercial Deposits Relationship Manager, where she successfully launched a new business savings team and introduced a new product to market. Jo continued to take on leadership positions including Commercial Deposits Relationship Manager and National Sales Manager. In 2020, Jo became the Distribution and Operations Manager where she led a multi discipline team and managed over 10,000 customer, before becoming Senior Leader of Retail Products. 

Then in 2020, driven by her passion to empower individuals and create inclusive workplaces, Jo founded the Nationwide’s Social Mobility Employee Network. As the network’s chair, she influenced executive leaders to integrate Social Mobility into the broader DEI strategy. In 2023 she became the Senior Leader of Social Mobility, where she worked to create an inclusive career experience for all. In 2025, Jo decided to take all her experience and expertise and launch Red Lotus Consultancy Limited, where she is dedicated to inspiring those who’d had fewer opportunities, and empower them to discover their potential and create career paths. 

Jo’s personal journey is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. Over the course of her career she has become a passionate advocate for inclusivity in the corporate world. So if you’re looking for engaging and dynamic speaker with practical, effective methods to create a future where success is determined by potential, not privilege, get in touch today to hire Jo for your next event!