Jo Tanner

Specialising in government relations, public affairs, corporate and crisis communications, Jo is part of the senior Rud Pedersen team in London.
As a Director joining in the latter half of 2025, Jo beefed up the existing expert London leadership with a quarter of a century of experience across politically-focused engagement. Jo has a campaigning background running integrated programmes for some of the world’s largest companies, charities, industry bodies and individuals. She also brings numerous examples of expert crisis handling from accidents to reputational challenges and regulatory threats, directly coaching CEOs and leadership teams in developing strategies and preparing for formal Inquires, Select Committee hearings, government and stakeholder meetings, employee and media engagement.

Jo is also a regular commentator appearing across BBC Radio and TV channels, SKY News and LBC. She has weekly appearances on Times Radio and is one of the hosts of the Whitehall Sources podcast focusing on Westminster politics.

Before joining Rud Pedersen, Jo was a Senior Director at international advocacy firm APCO and previously co-founded and successfully ran a boutique Westminster consultancy where she led award-winning campaigns and innovations. It was also here that she was responsible for the PR for Boris Johnson’s 2008 London Mayoral campaign. Previously in charge of communications at the British Chambers of Commerce, Jo has also worked in the charity and skills sectors after working directly for the Conservative Party as a media adviser.

Jo is the founder of the Parliamentary Women's Football Team, a Trustee of the charity WhizzKidz, Advisory Board Member of the Good Growth Foundation and has a longstanding commitment to mentoring those in and around Westminster and wider communications industry through events and coaching. She previously founded a mental health charity and served as a school Chair of Governors.