Jools Barrow-Read

Introducing Jools Barrow-Read

Founder

I’m an art school graduate who ended up running a record label in Lisbon before finding my way into PMO. Not the most obvious path — but looking back, the thread is obvious. I’ve always been drawn to complex, moving-parts problems, and I’ve always wanted to work differently.

That second part matters. Extended workforce is about people choosing how they work. I found my way to this space because I wanted that freedom myself — and now I’m here to help make it work better for everyone in the ecosystem.

I founded RedWizard in 2014 when I realised how fragmented extended workforce management actually is — and the impact that has on both individual and collective effectiveness. Coming from a PMO background, I saw that fragmentation differently to most. Where others accepted it, I saw a missed opportunity. My early work focused on proving that — building a cross-functional Centre of Excellence on a global programme that brought client teams and strategic partners together around the same table. When people with different perspectives start sharing stories and challenges openly, the opportunity becomes obvious.

I’m at my best working with mid-sized organisations where I can genuinely feel the difference we make.