joy burnford MA (HONS)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
An experienced business leader, consultant and entrepreneur with a track record of enabling businesses to grow by managing relations and implementing successful business change – being the connector in an organisation. Strong negotiation, networking and implementation skills have ensured businesses have achieved their commercial goals.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
MY CONFIDENCE MATTERS LTD, FOUNDER AND MD
2017-PRESENT
I set up My Confidence Matters to create a movement of women who inspire, support and motivate each other at work. We are known as curators of confidence and bring together expert coaches and trainers to run programmes for corporate organisations designed to encourage women to face their fears in speaking up and enable them to make a bigger impact. My passion is in making effective and fruitful connections and I use this ability to create growth for all of us at a personal, business and world level. That was the genesis of ‘My Confidence Matters’.
SIMPLY PRACTICAL LTD, FOUNDER AND CONSULTANT
2013-2017
Provided business, marketing and coaching services including strategic advice and implementation.
Achieved new business through word of mouth and recommendations with a steady stream of clients for four years
Advised an entrepreneur during business start-up and enabled the launch of their website in three months, whilst creating a robust sales process to enable the business to start generating income and securing its first paying customers
Successfully hosted a one-day ‘Women in Consulting’ conference in London, with 100% of attendees rating event as good or brilliant.
Reviewed a company’s marketing effectiveness and strategy and advised ways in which they could increase brand awareness and ultimately sales
Influenced an initially negative set of stakeholders to gain buy-in to design and build a new website.
Managed a brand refresh and web redesign for a technology consulting firm.
Successfully designed, developed and managed a new initiative of c-suite networking events resulting in new business meetings for the CEO
SOURCE GLOBAL RESEARCH, CO-FOUNDER AND JOINT MD
2007-2013
Source is a dynamic international management consulting research business. Built and managed a team with responsibility for marketing, HR, finance, suppliers, account management and IT.
Securing start-up capital of £100k, whilst only parting with 6.5% equity
Grew the business without any bank loans or other debts
Built up a team of 15 and grew the business to £1m turnover
Developed and built our online presence
Monthly financial analysis and business strategy reporting to shareholders and other directors
Sourcing and managing suppliers and negotiating savings
Effectively managed relationships with some of the world’s leading management consulting firms leading to year-on-year renewals
Successful negotiation on London office space contracts, saving £30k-£40k
Established business processes for CRM, resource and project management, communications, data storage to improve efficiencies during business growth
Designed, developed and managed a new awards initiative for buyers of consulting
Profiled in The Times ‘You may be just starting out, but you are not alone’ and Sunday Times Style magazine ‘You got me working day and night’
MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCIES ASSOCIATION, MARKETING & OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
2003-2009
Instrumental in doubling income of the Management Consultancies Association (trade body for management consulting firms), hitting £1m target (from £500k)
Overseeing annual MCA Awards programme – managing suppliers, media partners, judges and running event for 700 in London
Managed regular events for heads of UK’s leading consulting firms to ensure members were utilising and fully informed of member benefits
Attracting and retaining corporate sponsors to create member networking events
Created and managed successful relationships with Management Today, The Times and The Sunday Times and Financial Times which resulted in extensive coverage and ‘free’ PR for member organisations
Financial analysis of monthly income and expenditure to ensure robust member ROI
PREVIOUS ROLES EARLIER IN MY CAREER HELD AT PA CONSULTING GROUP, GOLDMAN SACHS AND CENTRAL COUNCIL OF PHYSICAL RECREATION.
KEY SKILLS
Entrepreneurial flair
Building and managing a team
Negotiating contracts
Consultative selling
Dealing with challenging situations
Business networking
Getting the best from suppliers
Nurturing customer relationships
Creating high-profile events
Setting up business processes
EDUCATION AND INTERESTS
1999: 1st class Hons degree in Management from University of St Andrews
1994: ‘A’ levels in Russian, Spanish, Food Science
Voluntary work
Chair of Kelvedon St Mary’s Academy PTFA, raising £40k for the school in four years
Set up and ran a weekly toddler group and grew weekly attendance to over 50 parents and children
Classical singing as a soloist and member of choir