Biography:
Jo is an Arup Fellow, and a Director at Arup. She founded and currently leads Arup’s International Development team, which focusses on projects in developing countries that help create more sustainable and resilient communities. Having studied engineering at Cambridge University, Jo began her career working in India before joining Arup where she qualified as chartered structural and civil engineer. Jo has lived and worked in in Asia, Africa and Europe, and been responsible for planning, design and delivery of a wide range of buildings, infrastructure, and urban regeneration projects. She has also provided strategic advice and expertise in post-disaster contexts working with non-governmental and UN agencies. In recent years, Jo’s work has focussed on understanding what contributes to community and city resilience; and the role of infrastructure – schools, healthcare, housing, water and energy - in reducing vulnerability and poverty. She has published numerous academic papers, and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Technology at Coventry University. Jo is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Royal Academy of Engineering, and in 2011 was made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) for services to engineering and to humanitarian relief.