Page 7 - INDEX Autumn 2024

C S A SPO T LIGHT

GET T O KNOW JO ANNE R OWE ,
C S A OFFICE MANA GER –

LEARNING AND DEVEL OP MENT

JOURNE Y

Some of you will know me well as I've been with the CSA for over 8 years now. However, I didn't
follow a traditional educational journey to get where I am today.

After GCSE’s I did an NVQ in hairdressing and worked my way up to Salon Manager.

Once I got fed up with working weekends (literally the only reason I changed career course
at that time) I moved into office work, first as a recruitment consultant and then I was lucky
enough to get a job with Local Government Employers, as HR support Services Manager.

The LGE look after 375 local authorities across England and Wales. This organisation was all
about education and it was here I did my post graduate degree in Human Resources and
became a fellow of CIPD, I did this in the non-traditional way 1 day a week whilst working full
time, the company also paid 60% of my degree fees.

After nearly 11 years here, redundancy called. From here I went in to a completely different
sector – Retail! I joined Asda as HR Business Partner and worked within Asda’s training academy
training all HR Business partners for stores around the country. This was probably the most
challenging role I had, not only did I have over 500 of my own employees to look after, train and
discipline I also had to train the other business partners in a store and academy environment
on policies, procedures and best practice.

I still stand by my motto, at that time “shops are for shopping in not working in” (if any of you
have ever worked the jobs of retail you will understand the 72 hour working week rule).

After a relocation and a store opening in Chatam Docks and the recruitment of over 500
new colleagues in the space of 8 weeks I decided I wanted to spend more time with my son
(something I had not been fortunate enough to be able to do). So I took a massive hit and
invested in my family time and that’s when I started at the CSA part time and where I have been
ever since! Moving from admin part time until today as full time office manager. I think the
moral to my career journey is you can do anything you want. You can change careers and grow
within different industries. I've always been enthusiastic and hard working and taken pride in
my work and I believe that’s why all of my companies have wanted to invest in me and unlock
my potential. It’s a win-win for both your employer and you. I didn't do A levels or go to college
and it hasn't stopped me furthering my education and my career. On a personal note here are
some fun facts about me:

• I have one eye (in case you haven't noticed)
• I'm a Disney adult and love all things Disney (especially Star Wars and Avengers!)
• I make and sell Disney-themed bags and toys in my spare time

Joanne Rowe – CSA Office Manager