Geraldine Jackson

I am the Founder and CEO of UNIPRO, a football and education academy based in Manchester, supporting young people to combine high-performance football with university education, personal development and life beyond sport.
Before starting my family, I pursued a career in professional golf, an experience that shaped my understanding of performance, resilience, discipline and the importance of having the right support around you. I am now a mum of four, with two sons at university and two teenage daughters, so supporting young people through different stages of education and personal development is something that is both professionally and personally important to me.

Alongside UNIPRO, I am part of the senior leadership team at Altrincham Football Club, where I lead across commercial operations and have recently taken on responsibility for the club’s day-to-day management. My career has centred on leadership, business development, commercial strategy and creating opportunities for people to grow.

A key part of my work through UNIPRO is ProWell, our holistic development programme built around the principle of ‘build the player, support the person’. It reflects my belief that success is about much more than performance or qualifications. Confidence, resilience, wellbeing, relationships, identity and having the right support around you all play an important role in helping young people thrive.

I am passionate about helping young people recognise their potential, develop confidence and resilience, and build the skills they need for life beyond education. As an Independent Non-Executive Governor, with responsibility for Personal Development, Enrichment and Wellbeing, I am looking forward to bringing my experience from sport, education, business and family life to support the college and, most importantly, its students.