About Jo Birch
Jo Birch is the Chief Innovation Officer at Woodbourne Group, where she leads innovation across the Group’s expanding life sciences portfolio, including Curzon Wharf in Birmingham’s Knowledge Quarter. As part of her role she is working across the ecosystem to deliver exemplary innovation infrastructure, fostering strategic partnerships, and creating spaces that drive growth in sectors such as BioPharma, MedTech, and AI.
Previously Jo was Director for Innovation, Enterprise and Employability for Birmingham City University, working to develop partnerships primarily around areas associated with creativity, sustainability and health to facilitate growth and encourage cross innovation. She was the founder and co-creator of STEAMhouse BCU’s collaborative centre for innovation. She has travelled extensively reviewing, benchmarking and speaking about innovation models. Jo has led on skills and employability at BCU, working with employers to respond to talent needs and supporting regionally on responding to skills policy and programmes and initiatives to address gaps.