By Isle of Wight Observer
Jo Knight has been appointed as the IW Council’s new deputy chief executive and strategic director of finance, bringing extensive experience in local government financial management.
She joins from Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils, where she was joint strategic director of finance and helped strengthen financial resilience. At Guildford, she supported improvements which took the council from a position where a Section 114 notice was considered a possibility to one of Surrey’s strongest financial positions.
Jo said she was attracted by the Island’s strong sense of community, and the opportunity to combine financial leadership with a wider corporate role. “The Island has its own identity, strengths and challenges, and that makes it very different from many councils I’ve worked with before,” she said. “Sound financial management might not always be the most exciting topic, but it sits at the heart of everything a council does and has a real impact on residents’ lives.”
Her career began outside local government. She served with the Army’s Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, and spent around 20 years nursing in neonatal care, elderly care, and accident and emergency departments. She has also managed nursing agencies and worked on building sites.
Jo said her immediate priorities would be listening, learning, and building relationships with colleagues, councillors, and community partners.
Council leader, Cllr Jonathan Bacon, welcomed her appointment, praising her experience and commitment to public service. He said: “Jo’s career path has been anything but conventional, giving her a unique perspective on leadership and public service.”
The IW Council did not respond when asked whether she will be moving full-time to the Island.