Lorraine Jackson is Director, Joint Work and Health Directorate (JWHD). The JWHD works to improve the health and employment outcomes for disabled people and those with health conditions. A cross-government unit, it is jointly sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), working across government and the wider public sector to develop solutions that benefit disabled people and those who support them. Lorraine is the DHSC Race Champion and has been a member of DHSC’s Executive Committee since June 2021.

Prior to this, Lorraine was Director, Information Risk Management & Assurance in DHSC – and Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO); providing assurance and support across information risks for the Department and Executive Agencies.

Lorraine has previously worked in the JWHD. Until mid-June 2020, she was Deputy Director, Health in the Joint Work and Health Unit, supporting the Government’s strategy on improving employment outcomes among people with health conditions or disability.

Lorraine has been Deputy Director for Data Policy at the DHSC, later establishing the Data Policy function within NHSX, where she introduced a new system to ensure patient choice in sharing health data, establishing the National Data Guardian role on a statutory footing and led on managing the Brexit data risks.

Prior to this, Lorraine was Deputy Director of Dementia Policy at DHSC, where her team led for the government on the Prime Minister's Dementia Challenge.

Lorraine has been with the DHSC since 2009. During this time, in addition to Dementia, her policy responsibilities have included Older People policy, Prevention (in adult social care), Loneliness & Isolation and implementation of a specialised Housing fund.

Lorraine previously worked for the Ministry of Justice (and its ALBs) on regional and national legal services policy and she began her career in the private sector in consumer goods marketing and Brand Management.

Outside of work, Lorraine has held several trustee roles. Most recently, she was Chair of The Silver Line – a dedicated 24/7 helpline (founded by Dame Esther Rantzen) to combat loneliness and isolation in older people. Lorraine successfully merged the charity with Age UK in late 2019. Previously, she was a trustee of ASDA Foundation and Chair of St Anne’s Community Services, an organisation in the North of England providing care and support for people with learning disabilities, those experiencing homelessness and for people needing support with mental health and substance misuse needs.

In 2019, Lorraine was made a Commander of the British Empire (awarded a CBE) for services to health policy.

Lorraine is married with two young adult daughters and an English Bulldog. Lorraine is originally from Birmingham and lives very happily in Leeds.