An Interview with Jo Grier
This year we are featuring blogs about our people and giving them a platform to share their stories.
We spotlight PA and Team Secretary – Jo Grier in our new ‘Inspire Interview’ feature, where we hear from our team – what their professional journey has been like so far and their advice and inspirations.
Tell us about your career journey to date
I started work at the tender age of 13! I know it wouldn’t happen these days!
Initially, I wanted to be an Art teacher. Still, due to the joys of the recession within Sheffield at the time, I took myself off to secretarial college and then had two work placements, the latter taking me on as a junior secretary.
Then at 18, I got itchy feet and took myself off to find fame and fortune in London, where I studied to become a Blackjack dealer! Unfortunately, that didn’t come to much as my career took off as a PA, and I lived in London for four years before relocating back North, where I then took up an admin position within Central Government with the NHS.
Frustrated with the red tape working for the NHS, I moved into admin support within a market research company and progressed from secretary to managing team of eight support. I truly adored working for that company, and the friendships I made there are still strong to this day.
Not sure how you would phrase it to be honest as I started as receptionist/team secretary to managing a team of 8 admin staff & two receptionists.
With a massive wealth of knowledge gained, I then started my journey within the construction industry by moving to work for a PM/QS firm. WOW, who would know that you would have to learn a whole new language working within the construction industry? Starting a steep learning curve, the journey began within the construction industry, working with the PM/QS firm for six years, then onto a much larger international full-service company as PA to a team of Building Surveyors & Project Managers for three years. Then, of course, joining Bowman Riley in a brand-new position as PA to Caroline Woolley.
What’s your favourite thing about Bowman Riley?
The genuine interest all the Senior Management Team has for all the people within the business and how they just get mucked in from crawling around on the floor sorting IT issues to running the business.
What was your first job?
I worked in a snack bar on match days at the Sheffield Wednesday Football ground from age 13!
What attracted you to a career in the built environment?
A bit of a necessity, as the current company I was working with had just been bought out, and the changes didn’t sit right with me. I’m glad I made a move into the industry.
What’s been your career highlight to date?
Being able to share my knowledge that I have gained over the years from working in many different industries
What piece of advice would you give someone entering the industry?
Take the jump, be bold and speak your mind.
What’s your claim to fame?
I’ve had a piece of artwork in the Sheffield Art Gallery!
Tells us something people might not know about you
Behind the softly spoken, mild-mannered exterior is a thug of a prop forward who took no prisoners on the rugby pitch.