Jo, a University alumna, is currently the Principal and CEO of Loughborough College. She is a member of the FA Council and its National Game Board, Chair of the English Colleges Football Association and has over 10 years’ experience as a sports psychologist. In her role at the College, Jo has built on its sporting success supporting 15 national sports governing body partnerships with over 2,000 elite athletes per year.
Alongside her role as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Sport, Jo will take up the post of Professor of Practice in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences.
Loughborough University is renowned for being one of the best integrated sports development environments. Its partnerships with leading global organisations place the University at the centre of the international sporting infrastructure, and its sports-related research and teaching have been named ‘Best in the World’ in the international QS subject tables for seven years running.
As Pro Vice-Chancellor for Sport, Jo will help ensure Loughborough reaches the very highest global levels in all its sports-related endeavours, creating new national and international opportunities and partnerships.
Speaking about her appointment, she said: “I’m incredibly proud to be taking on this role. My connection with the University goes back two decades, and to be able to join the institution again at such an exciting time, as it embarks on its ambitious new strategy is an absolute honour.
“For me this is the ultimate role, and I look forward to working with the many world-leading academics and sporting professionals as together we continue to build on the University’s unrivalled sporting success.”
Professor Nick Jennings, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, said: “At Loughborough, sport is in our DNA, from elite level sporting success to world-leading research. As we continue to embed the new University strategy, we wanted to ensure our strengths in sport across the board were maximised, and we are delighted Jo will be taking on leadership of this area as our first Pro Vice-Chancellor for Sport.”
In her current role as Principal and CEO of Loughborough College, Jo has already been working closely with the University on a number of joint initiatives. This includes securing the relocation of the National Football League’s UK-based NFL Academy to the College and University in 2022.
Jo is due to take up her new role in September, initially on a part-time basis, to ensure she can support the College in its transition to new leadership.