Jo Manning

Jo offers key administrative support to the Senior Partners and tries to keep everyone organised.

At Charcoalblue, I’m the Executive Assistant to the senior leadership team, keeping diaries, travel and day‑to‑day tasks running smoothly and everyone where they need to be – mostly on time! I also organise the monthly Company Meeting which I love as it brings people together and I get to work with people across the whole organisation.I’m naturally methodical and love a good list, but no two days are ever the same, which suits me just fine. I start each morning by checking what each person needs that day, juggling priorities and try to keep calm when plans inevitably change. Everyone I support works differently, so I’m always on my toes – in a good way!What matters most to me is people. I genuinely care that they feel supported and looked after. If things are running smoothly and people are happy, then I know I’ve done my job.

What Excites You Most About Your Work

What excites me most about my work is the people and the variety. I love being right at the centre of things, helping people work at their best and knowing that my support makes their day run more smoothly. There’s a real satisfaction in putting order to the (sometimes) chaos, solving small problems before they become big ones, and keeping everything moving in the right direction. I enjoy the pace, the trust placed in me, and the fact that every day brings something new. Being part of a collaborative company like Charcoalblue, where what I do genuinely helps others do their jobs well, is what keeps me motivated (and, if I’m honest, happily busy).

Coffee, Travel, or Creative Ritual

Out of work, I’m a mum to three girls, so between family life and work there isn’t a huge amount of time that’s just mine. I do make sure to carve out a daily dog walk though, which is my chance to switch off and reset. That usually involves a good podcast – I’ll listen to almost anything, but something funny or a true crime story is usually my go‑to. I also love reading, especially psychological thrillers

Cultural Value You Most Identify With

Collaboration is the cultural value I identify with most. I’m constantly working with others and enjoy bringing people together, whether that’s for a meeting, a dinner, a company event, or simply checking in to see how folk are doing. I’m involved in of lots of conversations and moving parts, and I take real pride in helping people connect, communicate and work well together. For me, collaboration isn’t just about logistics – it’s about creating a supportive, joined‑up environment where people feel looked after and able to do their best work.