Intertek colleague balances corporate career with elite rugby
12 Aug 2026
Jodie Verghese represents England and competes in the country’s top league
While professional rugby player Jodie Verghese can often be found on the pitch, she’s also part of the team at Intertek's industry-leading pharmaceutical laboratory in Melbourn, near Cambridge, UK.
In her role as a Project Management Executive, biology graduate Jodie supports clients working on nasal and inhaled drug development, an innovative scientific field broadening treatment options for people with respiratory diseases.
Jodie’s role at Intertek allows her to combine scientific knowledge from her degree with client-facing projects, while flexible working hours enable her to train and compete at the highest level of rugby alongside a full-time job.
At a club level, Jodie plays for Saracens, one of the leading teams in the Premiership Women's Rugby league – England's top division.
Internationally, she joined the England women's under-21 rugby squad in late 2025. By February 2026, she had been called up to England’s senior team for the prestigious Six Nations, which they won after victories in all five matches. During the final weeks of that tournament, Jodie also competed at the Six Nations Women's U21 Series.
On keeping up with both her corporate and sporting passions, Jodie said: “Balancing life as a project manager alongside professional rugby isn’t always straightforward, and having the backing and flexibility to pursue opportunities like these has meant a great deal.”
