Following a career in education, Mary Jane became the Chief Executive Officer of the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust in 2017. The Trust had 34 schools across Norfolk and Suffolk.

Since stepping down from this role, Mary Jane now undertakes consultancy work and projects, most recently to develop an organisational peer review framework for Diocesan Academy Trusts across the country. Mary Jane was an Ofsted inspector for nearly 20 years. 

Mary Jane holds an MBA in Education Leadership and is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching. She lives on the North Norfolk coast with her husband where she enjoys long dog walks overlooking the sea.