Jo Cottrell
About Jo Cottrell
Jo Cottrell is the Product Creation Strategy & Planning Director at OCEANSAPART, where she oversees the Product Creation Seasonal Critical Path and supports the development of new product concepts. With extensive experience at Superdry in various leadership roles, she focuses on aligning product strategies with market trends and consumer needs.
Work at Oceansapart
Jo Cottrell serves as the Product Creation - Strategy & Planning Director at Oceansapart, a role she has held since 2023. In this position, she focuses on developing and refining product strategies that align with market trends and consumer needs. Cottrell plays a key role in creating and maintaining the Product Creation Seasonal Critical Path, which outlines the timeline, milestones, and deliverables for each stage of the product lifecycle. She collaborates with various teams, including Product Design, Product Development, Product Management & Sourcing, Merchandising, and ESG, to ensure alignment and execution of product strategies.
Previous Experience at Superdry
Prior to her current role, Jo Cottrell worked at Superdry for several years in various capacities. She was the Head of Creative Centre from 2019 to 2022, where she contributed to the brand's creative direction. Before that, she served as Operations Manager - Store Development UK & Global from 2009 to 2017, and as Head of Design Management from 2017 to 2019. Additionally, she held the position of Head of Product Creation Operations for a brief period in 2022 to 2023. Her extensive experience at Superdry encompassed strategic planning and operational management.
Career at Bray Leino
Jo Cottrell began her career at Bray Leino, where she worked for a total of 11 years. She started as an Account Manager from 1997 to 2004 and later advanced to the role of Account Director from 2004 to 2008. During her time at Bray Leino, she developed skills in client management and strategic planning, which contributed to her later success in product creation and management roles.
Education and Expertise
Jo Cottrell studied at North Devon College, where she earned a BTEC National Diploma in Business & Finance. This educational background provided her with a solid foundation in business principles, which she has applied throughout her career in product creation and strategy. Cottrell's expertise includes evaluating new technologies and trends to support the development of innovative product concepts.
Skills in Team Collaboration
In her roles, Jo Cottrell has demonstrated strong skills in facilitating communication and resolving conflicts among cross-functional teams. She ensures alignment on product priorities and goals, which is essential for successful product development. Her ability to work closely with diverse teams enhances the execution of product strategies and contributes to overall organizational effectiveness.