We’re delighted to announce that Jo Westaway has been appointed in the role of Finance Director and Company Secretary, after completing a course that helps develop aspiring female leaders.

Formally Head of People and Financial Controller here at Start-Rite, Jo recently completed the East of England Women’s Leadership Programme, run by Pure Resourcing and People & Performance Ltd, which is designed to enhance confidence, develop leadership skills, and support organisations through the role of a sponsor in parallel with developing women in senior leadership roles in business.

Jo, who is a CIMA qualified accountant, said: “After 19 years with Start-Rite I have a solid understanding of the business, but more importantly of the plans afoot to successfully develop our strategic business aims for the future. I am delighted to have been appointed as Finance Director and Company Secretary and very much look forward to working with the executive and senior management teams and the exciting journey we have ahead of us.”

CEO Ian Watson, who also acted as Jo’s sponsor on the programme, said: “We are thrilled to appoint Jo as our new Finance Director and Company Secretary. Over the last 18 months, she has shown great potential and has developed through a number of courses including the Women’s Leadership Programme, which will prove invaluable to the business as we move forward.”

Jo will work with the Finance, ICT and HR functions as well as with the wider business to further strengthen the management team at Start-Rite.