Joanna Woolf

Name

Joanna Woolf

Job Title

Chief Executive

Company

Cogent

Joanna Woolf is Chief Executive of Cogent and has been with the company since August 2005. We asked Joanna a range of questions to find out what she liked at school, her career path so far and what advice she would give to anyone making decisions about their careers. Here's what she said.

What is your educational background?

I attended Macclesfield High School for girls and then did an engineering apprenticeship at a local engineering company. I went back to formal education and graduated with a first in mechanical engineering from UMIST and have an MBA from Manchester business school.

What subjects did you like at school?

Maths and sports.

Who influenced your decision making?

I got really good careers advice at school. At 16 I wanted to leave school and continue my education through a vocational route and importantly I wanted to earn money. To deliver all the things that I was looking for my careers advisor suggested an engineering apprenticeship.

What has been your career path so far?

Following my apprenticeship I went back into full time education and did a mechanical engineering degree and on graduating from university I started work with BP International. I worked all around the UK including a spell at Sullom Voe and I then went to work for ICI as plant manager at their Wilton site. My first senior position came as engineering manager responsible for 600 people at ICI's Runcorn site. I then held a global business management role with ICI's Chlor Chemicals downstream business followed by a move into the strategic supply chain global logistics. Prior to my role at Cogent I was manufacturing director at Albion Chemicals.

What would a typical day contain for you?

There isn't really a typical day for me as my job is very varied. If I'm in the office I'll be catching up on paperwork and meeting with my staff and other visitors. When I'm out of the office I'll be meeting with industry and stakeholders personnel and speaking at conferences.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

What I like most is the opportunity to make a difference and the challenge that this gives me.

What skills are important in your job?

In my role there are 2 key skills. Interpersonal skills allow me to engage in dialogue with a range of people from a variety of positions and roles. Leadership skills enable me to have the vision and direction to take my organisation forward.

What are your main responsibilities?

I am responsible for the delivery of the skills agenda to the Cogent sector employers and our stakeholders. I'm also responsible for the management of the company and for the Cogent staff and their careers.

What training (on & off the job) has helped you perform your role or progress?

My training as an engineer has given me an excellent range of skills on which to build my management career.

Why did you choose a career in the industry?

I started my career in the oil and gas industry and then moved to the chemicals sector as I could see there were opportunities here to progress quickly and to be given more responsibilities earlier in my career.

What advice would you give to someone considering their career?

Choosing to study in science and engineering gives you a wide range of skills and enables you to be very flexible in your future career path as well as being very sought after by many industries.