Ann joined Dorset Mental Health Forum as a Trustee in 2018 and was appointed Chair in 2021 and held this position until 2024.
Ann’s early career was spent in local government and the Housing Corporation. She was Chief Executive of Citizens Advice from 1991 to 1997, Legal Services Ombudsman for England and Wales from 1997 to 2002 and Parliamentary Ombudsman for the UK and Health Service Ombudsman for England from 2002 to 2011.
Ann served on the UK Committee on Standards in Public Life from 2000 to 2002 and was Chair of the Ombudsman Association from 2004 to 2006.
From 2012 to 2018 Ann was a Trustee of the Picker Institute Europe, a leading international charity in the field of person-centred care. From 2014 to 2017 she was Chair of Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust.
Ann was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law by the University of Winchester in 2012 and an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration by the University of Bournemouth in 2018.
Ann is currently a Pro-Chancellor of Bournemouth University.
