Be my Guest… Jo Stamp
Our latest ‘Be my Guest’ interviewee needs no introduction as she is well-known in the lifting industry and is the winner of Excellence in People Development at this year’s LEEA Awards 2024. Here we find out what motivates Jo Stamp, Regional Lifting Manager, North, Sunbelt Rentals
Stamp started her career in 1989, for a company called Lifting Gear Hire. At the time when she applied for the job, she had to be 25 years old but she was 19, so she didn't think she would get it.
“…And then I got the job and it just kind of blossomed from there. I stayed with LGH for 16 years. Then I had the opportunity to work for Cosalt, marine safety and leisure company in Grimsby, to run the lifting side of things and develop and grow it,” she said.
“The team that was working with me before came with me so, and that's what we did, we grew and developed lifting in that company.
“I moved to Sunbelt rentals in 2015, and again, the reasons behind that was because a lot of the people that work there used to work with LGH. So, for me it was like going back home, going back to my family within the lifting world.”
Stamp explains that anyone interested in a career in lifting needs to be aware it is not a 9am-5pm job and can involve weekends, but she enjoys the social side of things, interacting with people, customers, suppliers, and sorting out any problems.
On winning the Excellence in People Development at the LEEA Awards 2024, Stamp said: I do get nominated for quite a number of things, but I always come runner up or get second place. I like to be in the background a little bit. So, winning was a complete shock. It was nice to win and to be recognised.
“The feedback from customers, colleagues, suppliers, has been phenomenal. All the comments on LinkedIn congratulating me and calling me. it was very overwhelming and it's not often I get lost for words. But I did get lost for words on that occasion.”
Explaining her success, Stamp says her management style is ‘a little bit different’.
“I'm very supportive and keen for everyone to progress. So, if anybody shows any kind of passion and drive in developing themselves, I'm keen to promote that. I'm a good listener,” she says.
“Lifting is very demanding sometimes and for me a lot of my work has been in the industrial sector, in refineries and places like that, which don't close. But, if you're willing to work hard and put that little bit of extra effort in, you will reap the rewards. And it all depends on how much and how far you want to go. It’s just about being there for everybody and delivering on what you say you're going to deliver and always be truthful. Don't lie to your customers because they can see it.”
As well as being a member of LEEA, Stamp is a member of the Lighthouse Construction Charity.
On encouraging the next generation into the industry, she said: “I've always said you'll know within the first six months if lifting is what you want to do, if it isn't, then you need to move on, and find something else.
“But you usually find within the first six months to a year, you've either got the lifting bug or you haven't. And if you've got the lifting bug, you'll be in it for life.
“And it's the same if you talk to anybody that's into lifting and passionate about lifting, they will say the same thing and I'm a big believer in that. And luckily, I've had a lot of people in the North that I look after that are passionate about lifting.
“Next, I plan to just grow and develop myself and develop my team and the people around me. It's making sure they've got the right training they need, making sure they're happy, and just being there. To listen and give advice whenever they need it.”
Click HERE to watch the video on LEEA YouTube Channel.
