Jessica Turner is the Chief Executive Officer of QS Quacquarelli Symonds, the global leader in higher education analytics, insights, and services, driven by a mission to empower people worldwide through academic achievement, international mobility, and career development.
Building on QS’ 35-year legacy of trust, Jessica is leading its next chapter of growth and innovation, navigating an era shaped by AI, shifting global policies, and rising geopolitical complexity. She is a committed advocate for equitable international partnerships, working to foster collaboration between institutions and regions to address shared challenges and unlock new opportunities in global education.
With a career rooted in analytics, research, and strategy, Jessica brings deep expertise in the evolving relationship between education, skills, and the future of work. Prior to QS, she held leadership roles at Clarivate Analytics, Thomson Reuters, and McKinsey & Company.
Respected globally as a strategic voice in education, Jessica advises university leaders, contributes to international media, and speaks at major global forums, championing higher education as a driver of opportunity, innovation, and inclusive growth.
Areas of expertise
M&A
Student Recruitment
Insights and Analysis
Innovation in Education
Future of Work
Employability
Digital Strategy
Global Engagement
Influential work
Jessica often presents at global higher education conferences including UUK’s International Higher Education Forum, Universities Australia Solutions Summit, QS Higher Education Summits, QS EduData Summit and many more.
She is also sought after for insightful commentaries being quoted in publications such as The Guardian, The Australian, The Independent, The Times of India, The PIE News, The Koala and many more.
She has delivered strong organic growth augmented by strategic acquisitions, including HolonIQ and 1Mentor.
Jessica has authored op-eds including for HEPI.