Susan first stood for election to Oxfordshire County Council when she was 23. The following year she was elected a city councillor for Wood Farm Ward and represented that area for 12 years until she stood down.

Susan came back onto the council and the City Executive Board in 2015 where she held the portfolio for Financial Inclusion and Customer Services. She was elected Deputy Leader in 2017 and then Leader in 2018. As Leader of Oxford City Council, Susan also leads on Economic Development and partnership working.

Susan sits on a local charity, St Mary Magdalen Parish Charities, is a Director of Oxford Local Economic Partnership, Chair of Fast Growth Cities and a member of the Oxfordshire Growth Board.