Joanne Baker

writing | operations | account management | private office | communications | fine furniture & product designer and fabricator | sets | installations | All of these skills in one person? Wow!

Greater Barcelona Metropolitan Area

About

Sooooo, how to combine my passion and talent for designing and making beautiful furniture with my successful track record across communications, private office and marketing into something that adds value to the world and gives me a reliable income? Could you be the one to help me connect the dots and use all of my varied skills together? Do you wanna help try? Throughout my career path I’ve been drawn to roles where I get to understand and shape the big picture and to hone the small but vital details; to ensure clear and effective communication and to forge strong and productive working relationships, both across and between organisations; to seek/develop ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness in business practice and to produce visible, physical outcomes through my work. Where I get to be a thinker, a planner, and a doer. These are the aptitudes and values that drive me professionally, and the skills that I have developed across different industries in both the private and public sector, all of which I bring to every new project. And now I’m looking for the next project to bring these skills to, so please do get in touch if you think we could work together.

Experience

  • Resilient Cities Network (1 yr 10 mos)
    • Senior Manager - Global Operations & Governance
      Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

    • Consultant - Special Assistant
      Sep 2024 - Feb 2026 · 1 yr 6 mos

  • Designer/Maker at JB Woodworking & Design
    Aug 2020 - Present · 5 yrs 11 mos

    Designing and producing bespoke furniture, in a range of materials, for homes, offices, shops, hotels, outdoor spaces… https://www.instagram.com/jb_woodworking_and_design?igsh=ZmJvMGNyMHprdGU2&utm_source=qr

  • Business Manager and Director at RUSAJO CONSULTING LIMITED
    Sep 2014 - Sep 2024 · 10 yrs 1 mo

    Managing invoicing, accounts and client management for a small consultancy business.  Role undertaken part-time alongside two years of full-time study, settling my family in Barcelona, and working on my passion project.

  • NHS Operations & Delivery at NHS England
    Apr 2013 - Aug 2014 · 1 yr 5 mos

    Recruited by my former ‘client’ at the Department for Health to ensure the effective and smooth management of the business of the Chief Operating Officer of NHS England: - Produced monthly national performance data reports for the UK Government Minister for Health, using information sourced from organisations across the country;  - Compiled papers on NHS Operations issues for Board, Executive and Senior Management level meetings; - Full coordination of twice-monthly meetings involving national and regional Directors - preparing agendas, quality assuring papers, minuting, practical arrangements etc.;  - Temporary provision of Executive PA support to the Chief Operating Officer.

  • Personal goal pursuit at Career Break
    Sep 2012 - Apr 2013 · 8 mos

    Took some time out to explore the world with my partner