Jackie Arnold MBE, DL

Jackie has over 40 years’ experience in business and financial management, holding senior roles with BAE Systems, Europe’s largest defence contractor.

Born in Barrow-in-Furness, she was educated at Barrow Girls’ Grammar School and later qualified as a chartered accountant.

She spent a decade with Edison Mission Energy, starting as Company Accountant and becoming Managing Director of its Barrow facility. Jackie then joined BAE Systems as Chief Accountant, later leading strategy and developing a 10-year business plan with a 30-year vision.

From 2017 to 2019 she was Pro Vice-Chancellor for Employer Engagement at the University of Cumbria, where she established the Institute for Business, Industry and Leadership, aligning curriculum with regional employers’ needs.

Jackie also has extensive non-executive experience in public sector, education, and financial services. She chaired the Furness Economic Development Forum (2012–2019), was Vice-Chair of Cumbria’s Local Enterprise Partnership, and joined the Northwest Business Leadership Team to promote regional growth. She now chairs the Cumberland Building Society, a UK top 10 mutual, and Furness Education Trust, a multi-academy trust sponsored by BAE Systems.

In the Queen’s New Year Honours 2016 she was awarded the MBE for services to the Cumbrian economy, and in2018 was named to the Northern Power Women Top 50 list for advancing gender equality and social mobility in the North.