Marketing chief Jo Coombs appointed as HorseWorld’s new CEO
Jo Coombs has joined the Bristol-based HorseWorld Trust as its new Chief Executive.
She is the former UK Chief Operating Officer of Publicis Groupe, one of the world’s largest marketing companies, and prior to that was CEO at Ogilvy.
As a farmer’s daughter who grew up with horses in the North Somerset village of Barrow Gurney, Jo has returned home with her two children and will now lead the charity whose headquarters are at nearby Whitchurch.
HorseWorld was established in 1952 and its prime charitable objectives continue to be rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing horses and ponies that have suffered maltreatment, neglect or deprivation. Through its Discovery programme HorseWorld is recognised as a leader in equine assisted services and educational activities for children and young people with special educational needs.
Speaking of her appointment, Jo said: “It is an absolute privilege to be taking on the role of CEO at one of the most respected equine charities in the country, founded in Bristol 72 years ago.
“My passion for horses and first-hand experience of the social, emotional and learning benefits they bring, coupled with my professional background in raising awareness and support for organisations and their services and products, is a great foundation for leading the charity through its next exciting chapter.
“As children, my sisters and I thrived as a result of our involvement with horses. Now that I’ve moved back to Bristol, not only am I able to share my passion with my own two children, I have the opportunity to continue to grow the great work of HorseWorld’s Discovery programme – an equine assisted learning programme which has helped many hundreds of young people in the city.”
Jo also brings charity experience to HorseWorld, having been a charity trustee of the Wooden Spoon for seven years – a children’s charity supported by the rugby community.
As CEO, Jo replaces Petra Ingram who announced she was stepping down from the role earlier this year to spend more time with her husband, parents and four Haflinger horses.
Petra has led HorseWorld through transformational change over the past four years, since joining the charity from her previous role as Chief Executive of Brooke Action for Working Horses and Donkeys. She has restructured the organisation, developing an expert team with a clear strategic direction.
Chair of HorseWorld, Desi Dillingham MBE said. “I am delighted Jo is joining the HorseWorld team. She has a huge amount of governance and business experience, this coupled with her hands-on knowledge of the equine world make her the perfect person to lead HorseWorld through the Charity’s next chapter. I have no doubt she will dedicate herself to the task of securing our future successes.”.
Desi thanked Petra Ingram for her four years at the helm. She said: “Petra has implemented a new level of professionalism in the HorseWorld team and put in place a robust strategy for the future of the Charity. We are hugely grateful and wish her all the very best for the future.”