John Jones began making bespoke frames for galleries and artists in the 1960s –including seminal twentieth century British artists Francis Bacon and David Hockney. Over four decades later, he has turned a niche London business into an international operation with more than 70 staff and a client list that includes Damien Hirst, Sotheby's and Ralph Lauren's flagship store in Paris.
Former branding consultant Kate Jones first met Matthew, son of founder John Jones, in 1997. She then came into contact with the company in 1999 through a branding agency she worked for. "We would go out for drinks after work and I got to know Matthew and his brother, Kristian, and sister, Kelly, really well."
The couple later married in 2002, and Kate was appointed Marketing and Sales Director by her husband. For Kate, taking on this demanding role within an internationally recognised company offered an immense career opportunity. But it also presented some tough challenges, beyond the usual difficulties associated with starting a new job. When she joined John Jones, Kate was better known to the rest of the family as the wife of the Managing Director. "It was difficult because we all had relationships that preceded my entry into the business and these did change - we talked about the business more, and it was difficult to separate work from home. Over a short period of time though, we re-established the boundaries and clarified our roles and responsibilities and we have not really looked back."
"In particular, the family really appreciates my role and what I bring to the company - the way that I harness the values and the passion they have for what they do, and communicate this to the outside world."
Kate believes she has been a catalyst for change, helping to create a more dynamic, outward-looking leadership team that is happy to seek support from non-family members. She says: "There are now a number of non-family members in executive roles, which gives us more depth of knowledge in key areas such as operations and finance."
Balancing work and family life has not been easy because, inevitably, Kate and Matthew tend to talk about business when they are at home. "We are both totally committed to what we do and we both like it that way. We share a desire to succeed and thrive at work and probably wouldn't have it any other way. One challenge that we both have now, as parents to a four year-old daughter’ is to focus on her and not to let work conversations intrude on the important time that we have with her, such as bath time."
As for the benefits that women can bring to the business, Kate says: "I am not sure that it is about gender at all. It is about skills, and having the right people in the right roles. But I do think that there needs to be an understanding of the family involvement and the unwritten family ways that I am sure that many spouses, men and women alike, fail to grasp."
Looking ahead, Kate says: "We are on the start of a great journey and the next generation is really taking a grip on this business, doing what it's good at, playing to its strengths and helping us to make things happen. Quality, attention to detail and passion will remain in all that we do as a family business. From an outsider's perspective it has been a challenge - but really rewarding too."
For more information please visit www.johnjones.co.uk
