Jo Barton

North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative

What are you most proud of?

Cliché I know but I appear to have created two beautiful, well adjusted, independent kids (now adults) although neither fancied procurement (or the NHS) as a career option -something I said maybe ?!!

What makes you angry?

Injustice, inequality, unfairness.........

What sports team do you support (if any)?

Liverpool - although I learned at a young age that football can be the root of all arguments in our family. We are a big family from Toxteth and pretty split down the middle between Liverpool and Everton, derby day can be fun!

Which famous person would you most like to meet and why?

Carolyn Harris, the MP leading the parliamentary debates on menopause comes across as a brilliant woman who really seems to take her job as an MP seriously. Ensuring that women's voices are heard and fighting for change - although I have never stopped a famous person in my life so if I passed her on the street I'd probably be too shy to do or say anything at all!!

What superpower would you most like to have and why?

Invisibility - I love to people watch and this would given me the ultimate opportunity to nose behind the scenes and see beyond the glossy exterior that social media presents to us nowadays.

What historical figure do you most admire and why?

Emmeline Parkhurst - it’s really hard to fathom that without her and the suffragettes I wouldn't have the right to vote, just because I'm a woman.

What’s your perfect weekend?

I have two favourites, either a family camping trip to somewhere fairly remote - Nearly Wild Camping is our go to for sites which have the basics but off the beaten track and so quieter and less commercial. Fun in the day and chilled out under the stars with a glass of wine in the evening - bliss. But I also love a weekend away with the girls in the family - multiple generations just enjoying quality time together - with lots of cocktails obviously.

What’s your favourite meal?

Chinese or a nice seafood linguine

Can you describe yourself in one word?

Independent

What do you hope to be doing 5 years from now?

5 years will take me that little step closer to retirement, but I hope I still have the same passion for the job (despite 32 years of constant change), and am still making a tangible impact on the NHS.