We couldn’t be more proud to share that our inimitable and downright fantastic Jo Blake has been shortlisted for Mentor of the Year at Campaign’s Inspiring Women Awards!

The awards celebrate women in the marketing, advertising, media and technology industries, honouring those who have demonstrated exceptional achievements and led the way for others.

Jo embodies what it means to be a mentor, empowering others to grow with purpose, confidence and resilience. With over 30 years of experience in media, Jo now sits on our senior leadership team as Head of Investment and Head of People. Her dual focus on commercial excellence and people development underpins our strategic vision to Accelerate Growth across the business, its clients and its people. 

As a qualified business coach and mental health first aider, Jo combines professional expertise with empathy, ensuring every individual at MI feels heard, supported and inspired. She has introduced formal mentoring programmes, overhauled the appraisal process and delivered workshops designed to unlock personal and professional growth. Her initiatives have contributed directly to MI achieving both the IPA’s People First and CPD Gold accreditations. 

Beyond agency life, Jo’s impact resonates across the industry. She is a founding member of Bloom and Women in Trading, two networks dedicated to championing women through mentorship, education and community. Jo currently mentors six women formally, providing tailored guidance on confidence, career progression and leadership. 

Jo’s mentorship has transformed the lives and careers of many women, guiding early-career professionals through to senior leadership. Her approach is authentic, personal and lasting. As one mentee said, “I genuinely believe I owe my career to Jo Blake, and I don’t know what I would have done without her mentorship.”