Welcome Jo Willett: Our New Director of Impact & Learning

We’re delighted to welcome Jo Willett to Active Gloucestershire as our new Director of Impact & Learning.

Over the past month, Jo has been getting to know our team, partners and the wider network across Gloucestershire. As she settles into her new role, she’s already been inspired by the passion, expertise and commitment she’s seen from the people working every day to create positive change.

“It’s been a brilliant first few weeks getting to know the team, our partners and the wider network, while building my understanding of the organisation and its work. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming and generous with their time, and I’m excited about what we can achieve together.”

Bringing evidence, learning and people together
Jo joins Active Gloucestershire after 17 years working in research, evaluation and strategy roles across the NHS. Her career has been driven by a passion for using insight and learning to improve outcomes for people and communities. After taking time to reflect on the next stage of her career, the opportunity to join Active Gloucestershire felt like a natural fit.

“This role brought together everything I enjoy most, using evidence and learning to improve outcomes, while aligning strongly with my personal values around equity, impact and helping people thrive.”

The chance to help shape a new Impact & Learning function was particularly exciting.

“Active Gloucestershire has a strong reputation as a dynamic and impactful organisation that’s making a real difference across the county. The opportunity to help build something new while strengthening that impact was a big attraction.”

Learning from what works
As Director of Impact & Learning, Jo will help ensure that evidence, insight and learning sit at the heart of everything we do. For her, the role is about helping Active Gloucestershire continue to learn, adapt and maximise its impact.

“By connecting evidence, insight and people, I’ll support better decision-making, help us focus our efforts where they can make the biggest difference, and strengthen how we demonstrate and share our impact.”

Having spent her first few weeks listening and learning, Jo has already noticed something special about the organisation.

“I’ve learned that there is some fantastic work happening across the organisation and our partnerships, alongside a genuine willingness to learn, collaborate and innovate. There’s a strong sense of purpose and a shared commitment to creating positive change.”

Why learning matters
At Active Gloucestershire, we’re constantly working in partnership with communities, organisations and people across the county. Jo believes a strong learning culture is essential if we’re to keep improving and responding to the changing world around us.

“A strong learning culture helps us understand what’s working, where we can improve and how we can adapt. It allows us to make better use of our collective experience, evidence and insight so we can maximise the difference we make.”

For Jo, impact isn’t just about numbers. It’s about creating meaningful and lasting change.

“Good impact means making a meaningful and lasting difference for the people and communities we serve. It’s informed by evidence and learning and can be clearly demonstrated through the changes we help create.”

Telling the story behind the impact
One area Jo is particularly passionate about is helping organisations turn insight into stories that inspire action.

“Data and evidence are important, but they become much more powerful when they help tell a clear story about what’s changing, why it matters and what we need to do next.”

Over the coming months, she’ll be working across the organisation to bring together learning, evidence and impact stories, helping us better understand and share the difference being made through physical activity and movement across Gloucestershire.

Looking ahead
For now, Jo’s focus is on continuing to listen, build relationships and deepen her understanding of the organisation and its work. She’ll be exploring how learning and evidence are currently captured, while identifying opportunities to strengthen how impact is shared both internally and externally.

“I’m excited about helping connect learning and evidence across the organisation and seeing how that can strengthen our impact. Most of all, I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together.”

When asked what success would look like in a year’s time, Jo’s answer reflects her collaborative approach.

“I’d like colleagues to feel confident and supported in using evidence and insight, and for learning to be influencing decision-making at every level. Ultimately, success means helping Active Gloucestershire achieve even greater impact for the communities we serve.”

Living our values
One of Active Gloucestershire’s values has stood out to Jo more than any other since joining the team.

“Be curious and listen hard has resonated with me most so far. Building genuine relationships and trust starts with taking the time to listen and understand different perspectives, which feels particularly important in my first few months.”

It’s a value that underpins how she approaches both leadership and collaboration.

“Whether it’s working with colleagues, partners or communities, I believe trust, curiosity and listening are the foundations for meaningful collaboration and lasting change.”

And finally…
A fun fact you might not know about Jo?

“I once had a beer with England’s National Medical Director. We ended up talking about gigs. He’d just been to ABBA Voyage and I’d just been to Elvana, the Elvis-fronted Nirvana tribute act.”

Welcome to Team AG, Jo
We’re excited to have Jo on board and look forward to the knowledge, insight and enthusiasm she’ll bring as we continue working alongside partners and communities to help create a happier, healthier and more active Gloucestershire.