Jo Haigh: Breaking through the glass ceiling

Oct 13 2009 by Henryk Zientek, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Jo Haigh

little savvy and if you have been in business any length of time, you will learn that.”

Another piece of advice is to get organised.

“I am very organised. If I was to blow my own trumpet about anything it would be that I am great at time management. I have lists of lists.

“I also have a lot of energy. Stamina is probably one of the most important traits for someone in business by themselves.

“At the same time, you cannot do it all on your own. It’s very lonely being in business.”

Britain will need more hard-working, realistic and well-organised entrepreneurs, says Jo.

“We are not out of the recession yet,” she says. “I am optimistic that we are heading in the right direction, but everyone is talking about a ‘W’ or ‘double dip’ recovery.

“One thing I am positive about is that the people who will take us out of this economic crisis are not the government but those in business who make sacrifices – the owners and directors who take pay cuts, remortgage their homes to keep staff in work and come up with innovative ideas.

“And it is probably the owner-managed businesses – which make up the majority of firms in our area – who will be leading that recovery.”

Role: Partner and head of corporate finance at ATF Group

Family: Married with four children

Holidays: Anywhere hot

Car: Mercedes SLK

First job: Trainee accountant at funeral wreath manufacturer

Best thing about job: No two days are ever the same

Worst thing about job: I am a perfectionist. l delegate OK, I never truly let go.

Business tip: Just do it

Work: FDS and ATF Group

Employs: Four in FDS and 80 in ATF

Sites: Huddersfield and London