UCO welcomes Professor Joanna Price as new Chair of the Board
The Board of Directors are responsible for determining the policies and the strategic direction of the UCO as an exempt charity and meet a minimum of four times a year, delegating the day-to-day operations of the organisation to the Vice-Chancellor and the Senior Management Team.
UCO are delighted to welcome their new Chair Professor Joanna (Jo) Price. Jo had been serving as Chair of the Board-designate for several months prior to being elected Chair on the 14th of June 2022. Jo served as Vice-Chancellor of Royal Agricultural University (RAU) for 5 years until 2021 and is now an Emeritus Professor. Jo said:
“I am delighted to have been trusted by UCO to be Chair of the Board of Directors at a critical and exciting time as we transition from managing the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and look to building a sustainable future for the organisation. Achieving full university status, and all that this implies, remains a key strategic goal, together with ensuring an outstanding educational experience for all our students. “– Jo Price
Jo was the first woman to lead the RAU since its foundation 175 years ago and becomes the UCOs first female Chair. Jo joined the RAU from the University of Bristol where she was Head of the Veterinary School, and prior to this was Head of the Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), London, another small specialist institution.
Jo’s role on the UCO Board of Directors is well complimented by her strong research background and respect for the support that allied health professionals offer to the healthcare landscape:
“My research was on the musculoskeletal system, and having had back problems all my adult life I have seen at first-hand how allied health professionals support the health and wellbeing of their patients, often transforming their lives.” – Jo Price
Jo has spent much of her career working in small, specialist university institutions similar to the UCO, and we as an institution welcome her expertise and experience balancing the delivery of excellent service to patients with a high-quality workplace teaching experience.
“ I am really looking forward to working with Jo and we are delighted that she has joined us. Jo brings a wealth of experience in the HE sector and in particular leading a small specialist institution. This knowledge of the challenges small providers face particularly in the current climate will be invaluable”– Charles Hunt, Vice Chancellor
Find out more about Jo Price here