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In this episode of Accidentally Brilliant, Josh Wheeler speaks with the co-founder of Hope and Glory. Jo began her career in Japan and Hong Kong before arriving in London in the mid-90s. Three decades later, she has helped build one of the UK’s most awarded consumer agencies, known for its creativity, culture and consistency. She has also become a leading voice for women and underrepresented talent through her work with Women in PR.
The conversation moves from the early decisions that changed her life to the reality of building and running an agency. It looks at confidence, partnership, levelling the playing field, and what experience brings to an industry that often overlooks age. It also explores the calm, grounded leadership style that has shaped Hope and Glory since day one.
This episode is thoughtful, generous and full of insight. It shows how far curiosity and steady confidence can take you, and why the right people can make a career last.
In this episode, you will hear:
• How a young graduate from Birmingham found herself teaching in Kyoto
• What Japan and Hong Kong taught Jo about confidence and reading a room
• How she blagged her way into her first PR job
• Why Hope and Glory worked from the moment she and James joined forces
• The early wins that proved the agency would fly
• How to balance high standards with a culture that protects people
• Why she champions women and marginalised groups
• The overlooked impact of ageism in PR
• How experience shapes ideas and insight
• Why calm leadership matters more than ever
• The simple advice she would give her younger self
• What makes Jo feel accidentally brilliant in her day-to-day work
This is a warm, honest and steady conversation about confidence, partnership, identity and the value of staying curious. A reminder that brilliance often comes from the decisions you make before you realise where they will take you.
About Jo Carr
Co-founder of Hope and Glory, the UK’s most awarded PR agency of the past five years. President of Women in PR. Champion of inclusion and a consistent voice for fairness across the industry.
Connect
Follow Jo Carr – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-carr-351639a/
Follow Hope and Glory – https://www.linkedin.com/company/hope&glory-pr/posts/?feedView=all
Follow Women in PR – https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-pr/
Follow Josh Wheeler – https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshwheelerbroadcast/
Follow Be Broadcast – https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-tracey-398080281/
Chapter Markers 00:00 Intro – The confidence to take the first step
01:20 How Jo ended up in Kyoto
03:00 What Japan taught her about confidence and observation
05:15 Landing in Hong Kong and blagging her first PR job
07:45 Saying yes and the moments that shaped her career
09:10 Returning to London and finding her feet
10:30 Staying in consumer PR for more than 30 years
12:00 Launching Hope and Glory with James
13:40 Why partnership mattered
15:00 The early wins that proved the agency would fly
17:10 Building a place where creativity and care can co-exist
19:00 High challenge and high support
20:40 Levelling up opportunities for women and marginalised groups
22:30 What has changed and what still needs to change
24:30 Ageism in PR and why experience matters
27:00 The value of insight at every age
29:20 What outsiders misunderstand about consumer PR
31:00 Curiosity, courage and the detail behind big ideas
33:00 Connection and the power of reaching out
33:50 What Jo brings to every room
35:00 Calm, humour and not taking yourself too seriously
36:20 Advice she would give to her younger self
38:00 What makes Jo feel accidentally brilliant
