Jo has the enviable role of Head of Food & Quality for KFC UK & Ireland, a position she absolutely relishes (she loves fried chicken!). This past year Jo spearheaded KFC’s new nutritional report and launched Buffalo Twister, Teriyaki Burger, Chicken Fillet Roll, and new Fries. She also championed the Taste Movement across KFC’s teams.
For this role she leads a future-thinking team who innovate the KFC menu from strategy to launch. She is a passionate advocate of modernising the brand (without upsetting The Colonel) and has led initiatives such as the launch of the KFC Vegan Burger, new wholesome sides, low sugar beverages and fame-driving innovation such as The Gravy Burger. She also leads KFC’s nutrition strategy focused on dialling up the good on the menu and actively dispelling ‘junk food’ myths associated with KFC food.
Prior to this role, Jo was a Senior Innovation Brand Manager, having moved from the KFC Central & Eastern European team where she was a New Product Development and Brand Manager. In this role she developed the first global Kosher KFC Original Recipe Chicken for launch into Israel.
Previous experience in retail (Waitrose and Sainsbury’s), Food Service (Brakes) and a placement year with Mars has given her extensive experience within the food industry. She has developed products across a wide range of categories from dog treats (she never ate them) to Halloween spider celebration cakes.
Jo is passionate about supporting women and working parents in the workplace and supports KFC mentoring and working groups for both. She was awarded the KFC ‘Leading with Heart’ award in recognition of her inspiring and empathetic leadership style in 2019.
In her spare time, Jo will be riding ‘Colourful Strongbow’ her beloved horse, eating out with family and friends or ferrying children to ballet and playdates.
