Jo Brown has the kind of job that most lovers of luxury cars can only dream of. Read how Jo, from Altrincham, spends her working days
Jo, what is your job title and exactly what do you do?
My title is Brand Ambassador for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Manchester. I am responsible for increasing brand awareness across new audiences. It is my job to seek out new opportunities to promote Rolls-Royce Manchester by working closely with affinity partners, event organisers and specific individuals. I am keen to get our products out there and to change old perceptions of the brand by demonstrating just how modern and dynamic Rolls-Royce really is. It is always rewarding to hear such positive feedback once people have experienced the modern day Rolls-Royce. The cars are quite simply the most powerful, exquisite pieces of quality engineering in the world.
This sounds very exciting. What did you do previously?
My background is predominantly in telecommunications. I worked as a corporate account manager for Vodafone. This involved managing several large corporate organisations in a fast moving, dynamic sector which made for a very exciting career. After more than 15 years at Vodafone, I decided the time was right for a new challenge, I wanted to transfer my professional business skills into a completely different sector. The luxury car sector had always really appealed to me and it doesn’t really get any more luxurious than Rolls-Royce!
So you get to drive beautiful Rolls-Royce cars! Tell us about your favourite Rolls-Royce please.
Yes I do and I feel very fortunate to get to drive the most beautiful cars in the world with my job. I have always loved cars so this really is my perfect job. My favourite Rolls-Royce to drive is Ghost. I drive Ghost most days and can honestly say that it is a real pleasure. The Ghost is elegant, refined and extremely powerful reaching 60mph in just 4.7 seconds. I often get asked is it difficult to drive and park, the answer is quite simply No. The car feels small in the nicest sense and with so much modern technology such as 360 degree cameras and assisted cruise control, driving a Ghost really is effortless. My favourite car to be driven in would have to be the Rolls-Royce Phantom. The Phantom is designed to be the most luxurious, comfortable and exquisite car in the world, it certainly lives up to that accolade.
I believe there is a new Rolls-Royce about to be unveiled very soon. Is it going to be something really special?
It certainly is. The new Rolls-Royce Wraith was officially launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March so we are hoping to see the first cars very soon. This new car is going to surprise a lot of people. It really is the most beautiful two door coupe you can imagine, it is already being described as the finest GT in the world. We are all very excited about the first Wraith coming to Knutsford very soon for our launch event. This will mark another historic milestone in the history of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Wraith will be the most powerful, technologically advanced Rolls-Royce ever built.
Are you able to drop any hints as to which celebrities or top business people have ordered one of the new vehicles? Go on, we won’t tell anyone…
Well, that is a very good question, but obviously one I cannot possibly answer but what I can tell you is that almost everyone that has seen Wraith has said they have to have one. As you know there are many amazing people who are dedicated fans of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Lord Sugar and Simon Cowell being just two of them. I’ve already had several requests for Wraith test drives from celebrities and successful business owners so I think it is safe to say that we will see a few more well-known faces in Rolls-Royce cars very soon.
Before your proximity to all these fabulous Rolls-Royce vehicles, what was your favourite car?
I have always been a fan of BMW cars, I have driven BMW’s since I was about 21. I’m also a fan of the new Mini! The mini is a great fun car to drive. However, if money was no object, I would of course have a Rolls-Royce, in fact I would probably have two, Ghost and Wraith!
Jo, you must meet lots of celebrities in this role. Who have you met recently?
I recently met the FAB1 team which consisted of Gary Barlow, Chris Evans, Professor Brian Cox and James May from Top Gear. The four of them drove a bespoke pink Rolls-Royce Ghost from Lands End to John O’Groats in a day to raise money for Breast Cancer Care. They were all great guys, very friendly and so enthusiastic about the car, they all loved it. Chris Evans and James May are huge car enthusiasts and are Rolls-Royce owners but it was really nice to see the enthusiasm from Gary Barlow and Brian Cox. They were both surprised by the power and the performance of the Ghost. Brian Cox referred to it as ‘half limo, half sports car’!
What’s the glitziest event you’ve been to this year?
The glitziest event I’ve been to this year would have to be the Butterfly Ball hosted by John Caudwell and Trudi Beswick of Caudwell Children. It was held at Battersea Evolution in May to raise money for the national charity who support disabled children and their families. There was an impressive guest list which included supporters like Raymond Blanc, Joan Collins and Tamara Ecclestone. The event setting was spectacular with live entertainment from Dionne Warwick. It was a real honour to attend such a glamorous event that raised £1.5 million for an amazing cause.
Why do you think there is such an air of mystique and glamour about the Rolls-Royce name?
Most people are intrigued by Rolls-Royce and have a sense of passion about the brand. The reception you get when you arrive in one of our cars is extraordinary and really demonstrates this. The name Rolls-Royce has entered our vocabulary as two words synonymous with glamour and quality. Products are often described as being ‘The Rolls-Royce of its type’ suggesting that there is a level of quality that is second to none. The moment you step into a Rolls-Royce the opulence and quality instantly exude glamour. Rolls-Royce will forever have air of mystique, after all it’s not every day you see a Rolls-Royce silently waft past.
Is there any chance Rolls-Royce might launch a budget range we can all afford which just happens to have all the elegance and style we’ve come to expect? Please!
Wouldn’t that be nice? I have seen how much care, time and attention goes into building every Rolls-Royce at Goodwood in West Sussex. The cars are made using the finest materials with leathers and woods from all around the world, each piece meticulously crafted by hand. It just wouldn’t be possible to make such a luxurious, handcrafted car on a budget - it just wouldn’t be a Rolls-Royce!
