Jo spent many years working for her family’s outside catering business ‘Diana Barnard catering’.
During her mid-twenties, she took a break in hospitality and joined the British Government department Oversea Development Administration as a logistics consultant; who seconded her to UNHCR in former Yugoslavia during the Balkan war and then UNICEF in Rwanda during the Genocide.
Upon Jo’s return to the UK, she had a short spell in logistics before returning to the family business in 2001. The business was rebranded to Barnard Catering Ltd and Jo continued to work for the company during busy spells whilst also working for local marketing guru’s Helen Oldfield and Gina Long.
From here, Jo moved to Woodhall Manor as events manager and then joined the management team at The Orwell Hotel in Felixstowe. Having spent two years as the Growth Hub’s Events Coordinator, Jo became Business Growth Support Adviser before taking on the new role of Engagement Specialist.
Jo is also the Chair of Felixstowe Rowing Club and Vice Commodore of Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club. She is also a volunteer for the Parish Pantry at St Johns Church in Felixstowe.
