British Council appoints new Director Education & Society
04 March 2011
The British Council – UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations - has appointed Professor Jo Beall as its new Director Education & Society.
Martin Davidson, British Council Chief Executive said: “I am pleased to announce that we have appointed Professor Jo Beall to the role. Jo will bring to the British Council her extensive experience combining a prominent career in international higher education management with a practical and deep understanding of international development issues. I look forward to Jo joining the team in a few months’ time.”
The role of Director Education & Society involves providing leadership and direction to a team of specialists who develop and manage our range of education and society programmes.
Speaking of her appointment, Jo Beall commented: “I am looking forward to the challenges that will be presented by this new opportunity. I feel that the various positions I have held over the years have afforded me the range of insights and experiences that will stand me in good stead and will help me take forward the vision and work of the British Council. I am sad to be leaving the University of Cape Town and will play my part to ensure a smooth transition. I had anticipated a longer stay but I believe my joining the British Council is the right decision and presents an opportunity to use my range of expertise on an international platform and in the broader service of education and development.”
Jo Beall has held high profile roles in the UK and internationally. Currently she is Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Cape Town where she has led the university’s strategy development and curriculum reform work. Previously she has held a number of senior roles at the LSE including Director of the Development Studies Institute. She also played a lead role in the work of the Crisis States Research Centre.
Education has been at the centre of the British Council’s work in international cultural relations for over 75 years. The British Council connects schools, colleges and universities in the UK and overseas, promotes the UK as a high quality destination for studies and research and supports the growing internationalisation of higher education. Our work in society contributes to the strengthening of civil society in developing countries.
Professor Jo Beall’s profile at the University of Cape Town can be found here.
Media contact
Alex Bratt, Press Officer, British Council
Telephone +44 (0) 207 389 4872
E-mail alex.bratt@britishcouncil.org
Notes to editors
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We work in over 100 countries worldwide to build engagement and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people. We work in the arts, education, English, science and sport and last year we engaged face to face with 18.4 million people and reached 652 million. We are a non-political organisation which operates at arm’s length from government. Our total turnover in 2009/10 was £705 million, of which our grant-in-aid from the British government was £211 million. For every £1 of government grant we receive, we earn £2.50 from other sources. For more information, please visit: www.britishcouncil.org
