Meet The Team

Jo Shapter is the visionary founder of East Kent Foot Care, which she established in 2010 after recognising a critical gap in accessible, community-focused podiatry, chiropody, and foot health services across the region. Driven by passion, determination, and an unwavering commitment to patient-centred care, Jo has grown East Kent Foot Care into one of the most respected podiatry services in the South East. Renowned for clinical excellence, innovation, and its warm, community-first ethos.

 

Jo’s academic journey began with a degree in Sports Science from Roehampton University, followed by a Level 4 University-accredited Diploma in Foot Health from the SMAE Institute. Her dedication to advancing her clinical expertise led her to the University of Brighton, where she achieved a First-Class Honours degree in Podiatry and was awarded the Breakthrough Podiatrist Prize by Siobhan Melia, Chief Executive of Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.

 

A lifelong learner and advocate for professional progression, Jo recently completed her PGCert in First Contact Podiatry at HSU Bournemouth, placing her among only 70 First Contact Podiatrists in the UK. In 2025, she joined HSU Bournemouth as an Associate Lecturer in First Contact Podiatry, contributing to the development of the next generation of advanced practitioners.

 

Jo’s leadership and influence within the profession have been widely recognised. In 2024, she was named Tomorrow’s Podiatry Inspirational Podiatrist of the Year, celebrating her commitment to excellence, innovation, and mentorship.

Her business achievements have been equally distinguished:

•     Business Woman of the Year, Ashford Business Awards (2022)

•     KWIBA Award for Service Excellence (2021)

•     KEIBA Award for Services to the Community (2021)

•     Featured guest on the Podiatry Legends Podcast for her dedication to inspiring others (2024)

Under Jo’s guidance, East Kent Foot Care has become a multi-award-winning service, securing the Prestige Award for Best Podiatry Clinic of the Year (London & South East) for four consecutive years; most recently in 2026.

 

A champion of team development, Jo is deeply committed to nurturing talent and fostering a culture where clinicians can thrive. One of her mentees was highly commended as 1st Runner-Up for the National SMAE Foot Health Practitioner of the Year Award, before going on to win the KWIBA Service Excellence Award in 2022, an achievement Jo proudly attributes to the power of supportive leadership and shared purpose.

 

Jo’s remarkable career reflects her dedication to clinical excellence, education, and community impact. Through her leadership, East Kent Foot Care continues to set the standard for podiatry services in the region; innovative, compassionate and relentlessly focused on improving lives.