Jenny Patrickson joins EMD UK as a non-executive director
Following the announcement about the changes to our board of directors, we are running a short blog series to introduce all of our new non-executive directors to our EMD UK community.
In this one, we introduce Jenny Patrickson, previously the managing director of Active IQ. Jenny brings over 35 years of experience in physical activity and education, having led the development and growth of specialist health and fitness awarding organisations.
Jenny now runs her own consultancy business, JP Consulting, which provides strategic advisory services for training providers, employers, sector stakeholders and awarding organisations.
With a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, she has also worked across education provider and operator environments, and she is committed to supporting individuals as they enter and progress through the sector. Over the past three decades, Jenny has witnessed—and helped shape—the evolution of fitness education from traditional instructor training to a more comprehensive, evidence informed and wellbeing focused ecosystem.
Her passion for lifelong learning continues to drive her mission to equip physical activity professionals with the skills needed to meaningfully enhance the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
“I’m delighted to be joining the EMD UK board. From my early career in group exercise, to leading Active IQ as Managing Director, to my current consultancy work supporting organisations with workforce development, I’ve built a close understanding of the people and skills challenges facing our sector. Workforce development is a critical priority right now- not least in making careers in group exercise and physical activity more sustainable for the instructors and coaches who deliver on the ground. I’m looking forward to bringing that experience to EMD UK and supporting its mission to build healthier, more connected communities.”
Internationally, Jenny has played a pivotal role in shaping accreditation and quality assurance standards for organisations including the European Health and Fitness Association (now Europe Active), the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) Ireland, and the International Confederation of Registers of Exercise Professionals (ICREPs).
Please join us in welcoming Jenny to the EMD UK board, and keep an eye out for the other instalments in our series as we introduce more of our new non-executive directors, or read about all the appointments in our press release.
