Joanna Knight
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joanna Kathryn Knight OBE (born 9 October 1972), also known as Joanna Swash, is a British businesswoman. She is former Group CEO of Moneypenny, an international business of answering services.[1][2][3]
Joanna Knight (Swash) | |
|---|---|
| Born | Joanna Kathryn Swash 9 October 1972 |
| Occupations | businesswoman, CEO |
Early life and career
Joanna Kathryn Swash was born in Wrexham, Wales and educated at Alun School, Mold, Flintshire. She started her career as an owner of a small business that sold typewriter ribbons in UK (it failed as the popularity of laser printers rose). In 2005, She joined Moneypenny, a UK-based provider of answering services, as a salesperson, becoming CEO in 2018.[4] Knight led Moneypenny into the US market, securing private equity from ECI Partners and acquiring three US businesses: VoiceNation, Alphapage, and Sunshine Communications.[5]
Knight's straight-talking and open approach earned her a place on Boris Johnson's Prime Minister's Business Council.[6]
Knight is the chairperson of Wrexham Community & Culture Trust, an independent charity based in Wrexham, established with the support of Wrexham County Borough Council.[7][8] Knight headed a consortium backing an Investment Zone for Flintshire and Wrexham[9] which received UK Government backing worth up to £160 million as well as acted as Chair of the City of Culture 2025 bid.[10]
In popular culture
Knight has featured in several thought leadership books: Celebrity Service by Geoff Ramm, The Nowhere Office by Julia Hobsbawm and Employee Experience by Ben Whitter, and is a regular guest on BBC Radio 5 Live's Wake Up to Money.[11]
Awards and honours
- OBE for services to the economy in the 2024 New Year Honours[12][13][14]
- IOD Director of the Year 2022[15]
- CEO of the Year 2021 by Management Today[16]
- Women to Watch 2021 by Cranfield School of Management[17]