November 11, 2022 Jo Gorrod, the Powerwoman behind Oak Jersey

In early October I competed in the Ironman Kona World Championship in Hawaii and was delighted to return to an email from Citywealth to announce my shortlisting for the Powerwomen awards. To be recognised for the balance required to perform on the athletic field and in the workplace is a fantastic feeling! 

When I was offered the opportunity to become the Managing Director of Oak in Jersey earlier this year, I anticipated that the first few months would be challenging, what with taking on additional responsibilities and adjusting to my new position while simultaneously training for an Ironman. Luckily, at Oak I am fortunate to have a great team, and everyone gave their full support. 

I am fortunate that Oak's flexibility has allowed me to train while managing the office, as I am a firm believer in the importance of a healthy work-life balance for optimal performance at work. 

To borrow a phrase from Monty Halls there were many red star moments – when you need to recommit to your purpose, remind yourself why you are 10,000 miles from home, running up a highway with the sun beating down on you and that stopping or turning back is not an option. In many ways it is like a managing a business – the path is not always straight, there are obstacles in the way, times when you feel defeated, and you need to continually check your compass points and adjust the path to meet the organisation’s goals.