New Chair of the Corserv Board

Following a collaborative and extensive recruitment process with Corserv Solutions Ltd and Cornwall Council, we are excited to announce the appointment of Jan Ward CBE as Corserv’s new Chair, effective from November 1, 2024. Jan will succeed Julia Gregory, who has served as Interim Chair. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Julia for her dedicated service and the stability she has brought to Corserv during this transition. Julia will continue in her role as Senior Independent Director to ensure a smooth handover and support the ongoing leadership transition.

Jan is a business leader with an impressive track record of guiding high-performing businesses across a wide range of industries. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving operational improvements and building a reputation for excellence in service delivery.

With over 35 years of international experience in both the public and private sectors, Jan brings a wealth of expertise from various industries, including her mechanical engineering background and work in marine engineering. Currently, she sits on the boards of Red Penguin Marine Ltd as a Non-Executive Director and serves as Chair of Calculus VCT PLC, Millers Oils Ltd, Optoma Holdings Ltd, and Plymouth and South Devon Freeport. From 2009 to 2023, Jan has also held positions as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of nine other companies.

Her major achievements include turning around loss-making companies by driving organizational restructuring and delivering operating profits. Jan has mentored numerous companies and strengthened relationships between organizations and stakeholders. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a graduate member of the Institute of Export.

Interim Chief Executive of Corserv Solutions Limited, Paul Cooper, stated, “We are delighted to welcome Jan as our new Chair after an extensive search process. Jan is a dynamic, values-driven business leader with a diverse background and an outstanding record of achievement in customer-focused industries. Her strategic capabilities, proven operational effectiveness, and deep experience in developing and growing complex organizations make her an ideal fit for Corserv. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Julia Gregory for her interim leadership of Corserv during our recruitment period.”

Chief Executive Officer of Cornwall Council, Kate Kennally, added, “I am thrilled with the appointment of Jan as the new Chair of Corserv. With her extensive experience and passion for community-focused services, Jan is well-positioned to guide Corserv’s future growth and harness upcoming opportunities. I would also like to express my gratitude to Julia for her service as Interim Chair and the stability she has brought to Corserv. Her continued role as Senior Independent Director will ensure a smooth transition during this period of change.”

Jan said, “I am excited to have been appointed to lead Corserv at such a crucial time. I look forward to leveraging my skills and knowledge to drive future growth and deliver on our commitments to our Shareholder, Cornwall Council.”