Jo Sutherland

Jo Sutherland is Magenta’s executive chair and AI communications strategist. A former journalist and editor, she brings long-standing expertise in the built environment, workplace, energy, manufacturing and tech sectors. She served as Magenta’s MD for seven years, between 2019 and 2026, leading the consultancy to employee ownership, B Corp certification and a place among the UK’s top B2B agencies.

In her role, Jo works with Katie White on setting the future vision for Magenta and leads on Magenta’s AI work, helping clients understand the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence, from AI visibility and generative engine optimisation (GEO) to responsible adoption. She leads Magenta’s research and development through its partnership with the University of Sussex, and its original research is cited in AI for Public Relations (Kogan Page, 2026). Backed by the UK Government’s AI Upskilling Fund, she designed and delivered an AI training programme for colleagues, which continues to evolve in response to the new opportunities and challenges posed by the proliferation of AI and pace of development.

At Sussex, Jo also co-leads the AI Literacy for Communicators CPD programme and sits on the Impact and Industry Advisory Board for its Media, Arts and Humanities Research Institute. She contributed to the RICS professional standard on responsible AI and sits on the advisory board of EMEX, the energy management and smart buildings expo, where she helps shape its programme on responsible AI, data centres and energy. 

In her spare time, Jo is studying for an MSt in AI, Ethics and Society at the University of Cambridge. Her research looks at how AI is reshaping the media and information landscape, and what that means for information integrity and public trust. She is a regular keynote speaker on AI ethics and adoption.