Jo Royle is internationally recognized as one of Europe’s leading female ocean yacht skippers. Jo’s passion for ocean adventure has launched her into a professional sailing career, whose accolades to-date include being one of the few sailors to have circumnavigated South Georgia in the Southern Ocean.

Through her extensive sailing experience, which has taken her as far north as Iceland and south to Antarctica, Jo has been able to witness first-hand the effects of global warming, which have furthered her ambitions to help bring environmental issues to the forefront of the public conscience.

In February 2007, Jo gained sponsorship with Pindar and, through a partnership with the Environmental NGO Earthwatch, motivated the company to embark on a five-year environmental change management program.

Jo has a solid racing background, having competed aboard boats of all sizes, ranging from Mini Transats and Open 60's to Volvo 70's. Drawing on a diverse skill set, Jo has worked as an instructor, a corporate race skipper and as crew with some of the world’s most prestigious sailors and projects, including the Vendee Globe campaign. In November 2007, Jo competed in the prestigious two-handed trans-ocean race; the Transat Jacques Vabre, skippering the only all female team in the 40-foot class.

Jo is currently completing an MSc in Environmental Science and Society at the University of Central London. Jo has also investigated, written and implemented the first Higher Education course aimed at students who wish to work in the yachting industry, validated by the University of Plymouth.

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