Chamber News
The house that Jo built
When Jo James answered an advert in the local paper to be a part-time typist back in 1990, little did she know it was the start of a 33-year long journey, which would culminate with her becoming Chief Executive of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce. Those of you who know Jo will not be surprised to discover that when she started working directly for the then Chief Executive, she was often found asking questions. “I wasn’t slow in coming forward, and often found myself asking: Why do we do it like that? Why don’t we do that?” said Jo. A year after joining, the Ashford Chamber and Ashford Enterprise Office bid to be one of six ‘One Stop Shops’ for business support in the County. While the bid wasn’t successful, it was to set in train Jo’s commitment to working in partnership. Having galvanised the support of Kent County Council and Ashford Borough Council, the two organisations finally merged in 1994 with the decision taken to create a new head office. Her 12 hours a week soon grew to 30, eventually becoming a full-time role when Jo was promoted to Sales and Marketing Manager, targeting new members and promoting the Chamber and building relations with stakeholders. Jo’s role continued to evolve, and she describes it as having a lot in common with ‘Challenge Anneka’. “While I didn’t arrive at work in a helicopter or a yellow jumpsuit, every day brought with it new things to do,” said Jo. Nowhere was that more evident than when she tasked herself with sourcing free building materials for what remains the Kent Invicta head office – it literally is the house that Jo built. In 2008, with the economy in the grip of the banking crisis, the Chamber changed from representing its membership to becoming a business support organisation, supporting all companies in the County. By now Jo was the face of the Chamber, actively meeting businesses and stakeholders, and when the Chief Executive stepped down, she threw her hat into the ring. The board recognised her strengths and put their faith in her to navigate the economically choppy waters. The next ‘Challenge Jo’ was how to make the transition from Manager to Leader.
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Thinking Business
Jo said: “It didn’t happen overnight, but with the support of my Board and the Chairman, I grew into it. In 2008, the County’s businesses faced many of the same issues encountered by today’s contemporaries, and never has there been more need for countywide business support.” The next few years saw the emergence of a countywide Chamber, from previous serving organisations in Ashford, Canterbury and Maidstone to merge with the Chambers of Channel (east Kent) West Kent, North Kent and Thames Gateway. The result was accreditation from the British Chambers of Commerce and creation of a single voice for business. Continuing to represent its members, the Chamber built on its business support services, including offering export documentation for Kent’s internationally trading businesses. Today, few would question that the Chamber has evolved and continues to deliver day-in day-out for Kent. During her time at the Chamber, Jo saw the completion of the M20, the opening of the Channel Tunnel and Eurotunnel service, and transformation of Kent’s connections to London and Europe. “We can’t be complacent, there’s still much more to do on the infrastructure front. The Chamber continues to push the government to bring back the Eurostar service on HS1, and to maintain its commitment to the Lower Thames Crossing”, said Jo, adding: “That baton will now be picked up by my successor Tudor Price and the Board.” When you talk to Jo about change, the conversation will inevitably turn to how technology has accelerated the pace of business. While it brings with it improvements in how we do business, it also brings downsides when it comes to our individual wellbeing and downtime. She recognises that switching off at 5pm is now a challenge for all of us and takes significant self-control. “Now more than ever we need to find balance in our daily lives, and recognise that we work to live, rather than live to work,” said Jo. This might explain why Jo became the owner of a Border Collie dog to help her escape the home office.
Having helped businesses emerge from the 2008 downturn, Jo brought that experience to the table and worked closely with Kent County Council to develop the Covid-19 Helpline for all businesses in Kent and Medway. Thousands of local firms were helped with practical advice on how to navigate the pandemic, whether it was securing grants and loans, managing HR issues, and more. As for the future, Jo is the first to accept it will be challenging: “We’ve got to remain optimistic that the combination of the diversity of business in Kent; the collective entrepreneurial spirit; and not being dependent upon a single town or city means we’ll emerge stronger and better.” She recognises the country is facing significant financial stresses: “The need for partnership, between business and public sector and further and higher education, has never been more important. This is evident in the Kent & Medway Local Skills Partnership, led by the Chamber, in partnership with the county’s Further Education Colleges.” Like many business leaders, Jo has given up hours of her life to meetings, in her myriad roles on the South East LEP, Kent & Medway Economic Partnership, Kent Employment Taskforce, to name but a few. Jo has always championed the business community and recognises that companies are driven by the search for commercial opportunities wherever they are to be found. Jo’s commitment to supporting Kent companies has been beyond measure, and it was recognised in 2019 when she was awarded an OBE for ‘Services to the Kent economy’ by the now Prince of Wales, HRH Prince William. As for an abiding memory, Jo will remind us of how fortunate she was to find a job in which she’s been able to grow, and work with some amazing people and organisations who believed in her, while still balancing work and home. Jo might be retiring but there’s one thing for certain, without her years of dedication the Chamber wouldn’t have become the voice for business that it is today.
