Councillor Joy Allen has served on one of the largest Unitary Councils, Durham County Council, as a Labour Councillor since 2013 where she has represented the Council on the Bowes Museum, Business Durham and North East Combined Authority Boards.
She was appointed to the Cabinet in 2015 and holds the Transformation Portfolio and sits on the Health and Wellbeing Board and represents the Council on the Local Government Association’s Innovation and Improvement Board
Prior to becoming a councillor Joy was employed in the Public sector for 20 years working for HM Forces, Police, District, County and Unitary Councils and the Fire and Rescue Service where she undertook various strategic and operational management roles up to Assistant Director Level.
Her operational and political experience is underpinned by a sound academic background, having gained a BA Hons in Management, MSc in Security and Crime Risk Management from Leicester University and MBA from Durham University Business School.
