City of Bristol, England, United Kingdom, July 2025 – Jo Barnett has stepped into a new role as Head of People Partnering & Operations at Vertical Aerospace, a pioneering electric aviation company redefining zero-emissions air travel. In this role, Jo will lead strategic people initiatives, organizational transformation, and employee experience programs across a highly innovative and mission-driven team working at the forefront of sustainable transport.
Prior to joining Vertical Aerospace, Jo served as SVP Culture, Talent at Preqin (part of BlackRock), where she was instrumental in building a compelling EVP and overseeing internal communications, talent, learning, and culture teams. Her leadership played a pivotal role in guiding the organization through a successful post-acquisition transition into BlackRock.
Jo previously held the role of Strategic Director People and Culture at Onfido, where she supported the company’s scale-up from 300 to 600 employees. She established DEI frameworks, performance systems, and engagement structures critical to retaining talent and promoting sustainable growth.
Earlier, Jo served as Head of Partnering & Knowledge at Modulr, where she launched foundational programs like the company’s first LMS, Sales Academy, and competency frameworks. She also played a key role in reshaping the company’s organizational model using agile methodologies inspired by the Spotify model.
Jo’s earlier leadership experiences at Funding Circle UK, Chiltern, and other global companies have been marked by her focus on large-scale transformation, leadership development, global learning programs, and culture-building initiatives that span M&A, IPOs, and rapid workforce expansions.
About Vertical Aerospace:
Vertical Aerospace is a UK-based electric aircraft manufacturer that is revolutionizing urban air mobility. With a vision to elevate everyday journeys through all-electric, zero-operating-emissions aircraft, the company brings together world-class talent and cutting-edge engineering to create quieter, cleaner, and more sustainable transport solutions. Backed by innovation, ambition, and environmental stewardship, Vertical Aerospace is actively shaping the future of mobility and redefining the possibilities of flight.
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