Team Phoenix Talks: Jo Halley
This month we chat to our Marketing and Events Executive, Jo Halley – who has been with Phoenix for 27 years – to find out how the company and her career has progressed since she joined.
How did you get into the IT and tech industry?
Honestly, it was pure luck. I had a young daughter who had just started nursery and was looking for a local, part-time job. I saw the role for a part-time receptionist at Phoenix and applied – the rest is history!
What appealed to you about the industry?
I didn’t have any previous background in IT when I joined, so my entire experience was captivating from the very beginning. I love how quickly technology progresses, and during my time in the industry I have seen a lot of innovation.
IT is exciting, captivating, and forever changing. More recently, the public sector has been focusing heavily on adoption and change management with the aim of making organisations more accessible and inclusive, and technology is really driving this with tools like Microsoft’s Immersive Reader. The way public sector organisations are working has modernised and technology plays a key role in enabling this positive change.
Tell us about your career journey at Phoenix so far
From joining as part-time receptionist back in 1994, I moved into our training centre as a full-time training co-ordinator. I then progressed into our marketing team as an events manager, before leaving marketing briefly to join our voluntary sector sales team. But I soon returned and have remained in the marketing team as Event and Marketing Co-ordinator ever since.
Phoenix is so supportive when it comes to progressing internally. The opportunities are endless, and you’re encouraged to explore your long-term career goals – that’s why I’ve never felt the need to move on.
What’s your experience of working at Phoenix?
Ever since joining Phoenix, it’s been amazing! I’ve met so many lovely people over the years, from colleagues and vendors to customers. Our values are strong and realistic, and they’re implemented every day, particularly through our diversity and inclusion, mental health, charity, and sustainability employee networks.
Always at the forefront of our business is the customer, and Team Phoenix work really hard alongside our partners and vendors to deliver the best possible solutions that are specific to their needs. Our industry accreditations, including Microsoft UK Partner of the Year 2021 and Azure Expert MSP attest to that.
Tell us a little bit about your current role
I usually arrange in-person events and exhibitions. However, since the pandemic, I’ve been doing all this virtually – which has been very exciting!
Last year was busier than ever with all our events being covered online, serving as just another example of why IT is so appealing – it’s so versatile. It’s always an absolute pleasure to work with our vendors and partners to educate and engage our customers on the best and latest technology. But seeing our customers’ digital transformation plans come to life through the information and advice we’re sharing virtually on webinars and events, using the very solutions we’re discussing, has been a highlight for me. It’s what it’s all about.
Why do you think Phoenix has been recognised as one of the UK’s ‘Best Companies to Work For’?
Phoenix truly values its employees and is proactive in recognising our achievements. My colleagues from across the business make Phoenix such a great place to work, so our recognition of being one of the best UK companies to work for comes as no surprise to me. I feel privileged and proud to be part of such an amazing organisation.
How would you describe the culture at Phoenix?
From our Board of Directors and Managers to my colleagues, we’re all in this together. We’re a team and that really shines through in everything we do. Despite growing, we’ve managed to retain a family feel to the business, and everyone’s door is always open. Our work culture is genuine, loyal, and supportive. I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.
We’re hiring!
Take the first step towards becoming part of #TeamPhoenix by checking out our current vacancies now.
If you’re thinking about applying for any of our roles, read what it’s like to be a new member of the team in Joshua Ley’s Team Phoenix Talks.
