Jo Heeley

Jo is an experienced researcher, educator and creative facilitator. She received a BA in fashion/textiles in 1992 and a PhD in sustainable processes in textile design and manufacture in 1997 from Manchester Metropolitan University. She has worked as a research consultant on a wide range of applied research projects on subjects ranging from product development, fast fashion, sustainable textiles, creativity and entrepreneurship in small businesses, design against crime and, social innovation (with a specific interest in creative approaches to urban planning and social engagement). A common focus of her work has been developing expertise in leveraging innovative research techniques to get results and improve performance. She has worked with all sizes of organisations and every sector, from multinational businesses to small NGOs working in their local community.

When undertaking her doctoral research in the early ‘90s, she helped establish the Textile Environmental Network, an eco-forum for researchers and professionals with conferences, exhibitions, newsletters and feature articles. In recent years Jo’s interest has shifted to Third Sector Enterprise. She has been a voluntary Director of the social lending organisation, Moneyline Greater Manchester since 2002. In 2007 she led a major re-branding programme as well as helping to develop a new range of personal and business lending products.

She is a passionate educator and since 2001 has taught post-graduate art and design students at Salford University, introducing research methods appropriate to design practice using highly experiential and creative approaches.

Throughout the 1990s Jo collaborated on some major DTI funded projects (£3.4 m) to improve new product development activity in the UK textile and clothing industry combining team-based techniques, ecological concepts and fast fashion theories. Tools and techniques were developed, tested and observed in participating companies including Speedo International, Marks and Spencer, House of Fraser, Next, Acordis Fibres and Arcadia. Industry improvements included: development of a new range of compression hosiery for a knitwear manufacturer resulting in an order book for £1 million. Development of a new quick response manufacturing capability for a garment processor resulted in a forecast of 30% growth.

She started to merge her research and enterprise skills in 2002 as Project Director for Enterprise at the University of Salford where she helped over 250 small businesses to improve their product design and marketing performance, generating sales in excess of £11m. The project was also committed to community development and Jo was instrumental in establishing the first Salford Community film festival attended by over 3000 people with features in the Guardian, Telegraph, The Times, City Life and BBC World TV. The festival is now an annual event and is a registered social enterprise.

She has been involved in numerous research projects which focus on finding ways that Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) can ‘reach out’ to businesses and communities. In 2005 she led a multii-disciplinary team on the Network NorthWest project, developing multimedia resources for small businesses to encourage entrepreneurship. In 2006-07 she provided creative direction for the UPBEAT project, involving 25 partner universities producing 150 case studies of ‘reach out’ projects. Jo led the development of new communication materials and the development of the UPBEAT benchmarking tool.