Jo Scott, Project/Office Manager

Meet Jo Scott, Craft Scotland's Project/Office Manager.

What do you do at Craft Scotland? 

As well as managing our retail projects and events both in the UK and internationally, I also ensure the smooth running of the office, keep our clients up to date and support every element of the business.

My time is currently being spent formulating project plans, liaising with the makers selected to exhibit at our shows and carrying out research for further opportunities. I work with graphic designers, shipping companies and external partners to pull together our shows.

I am just back from a trip to Baltimore, USA, for a Craft Scotland research trip where I spent time at the American Craft Council’s (ACC) Show, which is held in Baltimore on an annual basis.

How do you help Scottish craft or makers?

I support makers through the effective delivery of projects and events. For each project I manage I help to ensure that makers get exposure within the press to enhance their profile, provide guidance with regard to which work to show to generate sales and help identify key contacts for makers to help them develop key relationships. By raising the profile of makers this will in turn also raise the profile of Scottish craft both within the UK and abroad. I am also the first point of contact for any maker enquiries and so provide general support and advice.

What are your top three professional achievements?

1. Successfully managing and delivering Craft Scotland’s first International Show; The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show
2. Opening a craft shop and gallery
3. Delivering a successful pilot programme to introduce new roles into an organisation

What are your top three craft moments?

1. After months of preparation, making it through to the final day of The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show intact!
2. Buying any piece of craft, especially jewellery!
3. Spending a rainy afternoon at the Ta Papa Museum in Wellington, New Zealand

What are your top five skills tags?

1. Project Management
2. Retail
3. International
4. Office Management
5. Coaching and Development

What's your background?

I worked for RBS for just over 16 years where I managed a variety of projects, organised conferences, wrote and delivered training and coaching events, and managed a peripatetic team of ten.

During a trip to Australia, New Zealand and Thailand I decided to take a leap of faith and totally change career paths and follow my passion of working in the craft sector.

Before moving to Craft Scotland I opened and managed my own business; a gallery and craft shop in Edinburgh and worked for the National Galleries of Scotland managing one of their retail outlets. 

Tell us something surprising about you:

I have shared a joke with Princess Anne (and have photographic evidence to prove it) and have also camped out in a one man tent!

Finally, what's your favourite beverage?

Black coffee for the mornings and in the evenings either a refreshing gin & tonic or a glass of red wine. 

Contact Jo

Get in touch with Jo if you have enquiries about the Craft Scotland office, print or finance, or about our retail events.

Jo Scott
Project/Office Manager

jo@craftscotland.org 
+44 (0) 131 466 3870

Photos from Jo