A FARMER'S daughter has returned to Somerset to lead an equine charity. 

Jo Coombs, who grew up with horses in the North Somerset village of Barrow Gurney, has recently joined the HorseWorld Trust as its new chief executive. 

Formerly chief operating officer of Publicis Groupe and prior to this CEO at Ogilvy, Jo has returned home with her two children and will lead the charity from its headquarters in Whitchurch, Bristol, Somerset. 

HorseWorld was established in 1952. The charity rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes horses and ponies. 

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.”    

Former CEO, Petra Ingram, stepped down from the role earlier this year to spend more time with her husband, parents and Haflinger horses. 

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.

“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.”