GO Wales News

In 2002 Jayne Smith was employed by business advisors CIOTEK in Swansea on a GO Wales work placement and was made company director within two years. She has been with the company for eight years and has won awards for her business advisory services.

More recently Jayne has been nominated for a Rising Star of the Year Award by Swansea Women in Business which is aimed at women who have been promoted or fast tracked within a company or has been directly responsible for their company’s exceptional growth, success and profitability in the past 12 months.

Jayne explains how her role with CIOTEK has developed since her GO Wales work placement:

Tell us about CIOTEK

“CIOTEK Limited was incorporated in 2002 by Christopher James, an experienced business consultant who had worked for many years as an associated with the WDA, Shannon Development in Ireland and on various projects in the Middle East.“

You started your career with CIOTEK in 2002 as a GO Wales placee, what did your project involve?

“CIOTEK employed me as a support consultant as soon as I returned home from University (Bath and UWE, studying BSc Economics and MA Marketing) under the GO Wales work placement scheme.” “I had struggled to get a job in the West Country so returned back to Swansea and noticed the opportunities for graduates with this initiative. It really helped integrate me into the working world and I was lucky enough to be kept on after the 10 week placement.”

“The placement consisted of developing the customer relationship management systems and programme administration procedures to enhance efficiency within the workplace and enable greater capacity for revenue generation.”

Now you are Director of the company, what has happened since your placement?

“Within 2 years I was made Director of the Company, having gained further Marketing qualifications and extensive experience in business planning, marketing strategy and enterprise support.”

“I now have individual contracts with the Welsh Assembly Government, Merthyr Tydfil Council, Venture Wales and Neath Port Talbot Council offering advice and guidance in a range of areas including HR, Workforce Development, Business and Financial planning as well as Marketing Strategy.”

How do you feel about being nominated for a Rising Star Business Award?

“I am delighted to have been nominated in the Rising Star category for these Awards and hope that I am a positive role model for future graduates and business women in Wales.”