Via's Executive Group

Via’s Executive Group is made up of experienced and committed professionals with a track record of success both as individuals and as a team. The team have been finalists in the Lancashire 'Be Inspired' Business Award for Leadership Team of the Year for the last three years running.

John Jordan moved to the North West from London, where he held senior management posts in Tower Hamlets Careers Service. John was formerly Connexions Lancashire's Operations Director for the Blackburn with Darwen area, and he was also seconded to help develop the Borough’s approach to strategic commissioning for Children’s Services. He is now CXL's Partnership Director for the area, overseeing the delivery of the Connexions Service; the development of Integrated Youth Support Services and co-ordinating our extensive range of activities and partnerships in the area.

Karen O’Donoghue is Via's Chief Executive and was formerly Chief Executive of Connexions Lancashire Ltd, focusing on working with and for young people. With Board level experience in the voluntary, housing and training sectors Karen’s professional background is as a careers adviser and she is committed to the development of CXL as a social business and the contribution the sector makes to the delivery of public services. Karen was a finalist in the Lancashire Business Woman of the Year Awards 2007, sponsored by Business Link, and won a Highly Commended in the 2008 "Woman in Business" East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce Awards.