Jo Beall joined the British Council and the Executive Board in July 2011 as Director, Education and Society, reporting to the CEO.

Jo was formerly Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Cape Town with responsibility for academic matters, social responsiveness and external relations and the University's international strategy.

A graduate of the London School of Economics, Jo was formerly Professor of Development Studies in the LSE’s International Development Department, which she directed between 2004 and 2007.

During her academic career Jo has published numerous books and academic articles in the areas of gender and social policy, urban governance and development, cities and conflict and state fragility. She has worked in Africa, Asia and Latin America, undertaking significant research projects and advisory work in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and South Africa. Her move to the British Council signals her commitment to education as a force for global good.

Jo serves on the British Academy's Area Panel for South Asia, the Council of Overseas Development Institute, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England’s Research Excellence Framework Panel for Anthropology and Development.internationally.

In the United Kingdom she was a Trustee of ActionAid, served on the Higher Education Funding Council for England's 2008 Research Assessment Exercise and has sat on a number of editorial boards and research panels. Jo has been a Fellow of Goodenough College since 2000 and currently serves on the Council of the Overseas Development Institute and the British Academy's Area Panel for South Asia.