After almost eight years as chief executive officer, Jonathon Kruger will be leaving World Physiotherapy in May 2024 to take up a new role.
Since joining World Physiotherapy in mid-2016, Jonathon has led a number of strategic activities and projects to shape the profession globally and to improve the governance and operations of the organisation. These include:
- Support for 26 national physiotherapy associations joining the confederation
- Delivery of over 50 advocacy campaigns in collaboration with member organisations on topics such as direct access, raising education standards, establishing systems of regulation and access to telerehabilitation, and provision of personal protective equipment during the pandemic
- Representation at a global level with World Health Organization, World Health Assembly, World Rehabilitation Alliance, World Health Professions Alliance
- Advancing programmes in Africa, SE Asia, and central Asia to develop physiotherapist education and training
- Development of a new World Physiotherapy constitution
- Delivery of World Physiotherapy’s first online congress and first hybrid general meeting
- Introduction of electronic voting for member organisations
- Enhancing support and contact for four regions to enable them to hold effective general meetings and online elections, and successful webinar series
- Rebrand of WCPT to World Physiotherapy
- Support the transition to a charitable incorporated organisation
Michel Landry, World Physiotherapy president, said: “Jonathon, as chief executive officer, has been a stalwart advocate and defender for global physiotherapists and World Physiotherapy over the last eight years. His steadfast dedication, commitment, and passion for World Physiotherapy are inspirational, and he leaves a lasting legacy. His many accomplishments as a leader are impressive, and he will be missed within our organisation. The World Physiotherapy community extends our sincere appreciation for all that he has built, and we wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”
Suh-Fang Jeng, World Physiotherapy vice president, said: “I have known Jonathon for more than 10 years and have always cherished his expertise in advocacy and management, and his friendship and kindness when serving the organisation. His eminent efforts and exceptional accomplishments in establishing the new constitution, launching professional projects, building a model for support of the regions, and collaborating with various stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic period will be long be remembered in the history of World Physiotherapy. Jonathon has demonstrated outstanding skills in leading the organisation to a new horizon and he will be difficult to replace.”
The World Physiotherapy board will shortly commence a recruitment process to appoint a new chief executive officer.
