Judith Donovan CBE started and then ran her own direct marketing agency in her native Bradford, in the 80s and 90s. She was one of the first female entrepreneurs in Yorkshire and was recognised as such by "Yorkshire Business Woman of the Year" and "Yorkshire Woman of the Year". She was also a national finalist in both Entrepreneur of the Year and the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year. In addition she chaired the Bradford Training and Enterprise Council, and was the first ever female president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce.

In 2000, she sold JDA (£12.5 million t/o, 50 staff) to her managers and embarked on a "quango" career. She is currently a board member of the Big Lottery Fund and chair of Postwatch North.