Joanne Easthope

Earmarked as a future technical manager, Joanne Easthope’s love of fashion and textiles was sparked when she joined her local George at Asda while studying for her A-Levels.

After a textile and retail management degree, including an internship at New Look, Easthope joined value chain Peacocks as assistant garment technologist on lingerie. But she was back at Asda in 2009 to join the head office staff as a George assistant garment technologist on menswear. Within a year, she was promoted to junior garment technologist.

Easthope is seen as a high-flyer in the business, selected as an ‘accelerate colleague’ – George’s way of identifying staff with potential. Often working overseas, Easthope is developing a broad range of skills, including being part of the Hope School committee, a school set up in Bangladesh by George and the Hope Foundation.

George brand director Fiona Lambert says: “Jo demonstrates maturity, with a strong desire to learn from her peers and line managers. She has undertaken several key projects that we would normally expect colleagues at a higher grade to undertake.”

Easthope says: “I love waking in the morning to know I’m going to do something I enjoy and make a difference delivering exceptional product to a customer. When I walk into a store and see a garment I’ve helped to create I get a real buzz – it’s overwhelming and makes me feel very proud of my achievements.”

Have your say

You must sign in to make a comment.

Share this article

Follow Drapers