Joanne joined Ask in 2003 having previously worked as a PA at PricewaterhouseCoopers.  In addition to her general day to day PA role supporting the Development Team, she is also Ask’s Office Manager responsible for the smooth running of the office.  Joanne’s duties are quite varied which means every day can have a different challenge.  Joanne is also a qualified First Aider and Fire Marshall.

When did you join Ask?
I started working at a small IFA as a junior secretary, then went onto work for Deloitte & Touche and PricewaterhouseCoopers, before joining Ask in 2003.

What do you bring to the team? 
I have been working in the secretarial support industry since leaving college in 1990 and have had the benefit of being part of both large global organisations and small local businesses so I feel I have the experience and skills to fit in anywhere.  I’ve had to be flexible in my role over the years, seeing many changes along the way – the duties of a secretary in the 90s were very different to now and will no doubt continue to evolve.

What’s your signature dish (and does anyone else agree)?
Probably my Christmas Cake – I started off making just one for my husband and now have to make at least nine of them for various family members and friends (and occasionally work colleagues if they are lucky).

What is your best holiday and what would be your dream trip? 
You can’t beat the English countryside on a warm summer’s day (on the rare occasions we get them). It’s difficult to pin down to one specific location but Dorset and the Cotswolds are high on my list.  One dream holiday that I haven’t yet been on would probably be to travel to Norway to see the northern lights.

Name a desert island disc. How and when did you discover it?
Duran Duran’s Arena album.  After seeing the Wild Boys video in 1984, the album went straight onto my Christmas list.

And what about your sporting talents?
Absolutely rubbish at sport – unless you count my weekly horse-riding lessons.

Name your default refreshments, hard and soft.
Gin and tonic for summer, Port for winter. Soft drink would be a herbal tea.

What’s your hometown famous for?
My hometown of Bury is probably most famous for being the birthplace of Sir Robert Peel, although the Bury Black Pudding is just as legendary.

And what about your sporting talents?
Rubbish at sport but I practice yoga and pilates which I absolutely love