Some people manage projects. Others transform how we think about them.

Julie Barrow-Read “Jools”, the creative force behind RedWizard, brings a unique lens to the PMO world—one shaped by a life in music, art, and a deep understanding of systems thinking.

Before diving into the world of business transformation, Jools ran her own record label and trained as a fine art painter. Today, she applies that same creative energy in the garden—treating her outdoor space as a living canvas. Her gift? Seeing how colour, shape, and timing all come together to create harmony—a skill she’s carried into the extended workforce management PMO space,.

Starting her career in traditional project management, Jools found it a little too dry. The shift into PMO allowed her to lean into what she does best—connecting dots, aligning efforts, and creating environments where people can thrive.

Q: What is a modern extended workforce PMO? Has it evolved?

A: PMOs have evolved from admin-heavy support functions to strategic partners. Some still churn out reports; others drive real change by interpreting insights, influencing stakeholders, and connecting enterprise-level outcomes. It’s all about purpose-built design and connecting the dots. Our relationship with Clients also evolve. We start with delivering to the initial need, bring capability, build trust, and show them how the PMO enables connection. Our successful delivery is the catalyst that moves the relationship to a more strategic one – where we build a deeper understanding of the Clients current environment, being able to influence the right stakeholders through providing real insights and enabling them to act with purpose. Nothing stays the same, so if a PMO doesn’t constantly evolve, it really needs to be looked at with a critical eye!

Q: How does Red Wizard enable transformation

A: We don’t drop in with off-the-shelf answers. It starts with knowing where you are, the way you want to get to, and then that pathway will be influenced by lots of different things. RedWizard starts by holding up a mirror, understand point A, define point B, and explore multiple tailored pathways to get there. The magic happens in the relationships—between people, processes, and capabilities.

Q: What’s your take on alchemy in business?

A: Alchemy, to us, means understanding how different forces interact—structure enabling agility, people influencing process. When you see the hidden connections, you become the catalyst for meaningful change.

Q: PMO – misunderstood or misused?

A: Often both. PMOs get stuck as ‘status-report enforcers’ instead of being change enablers. The best PMOs step out from behind the desk, build relationships, and become customer centric. Everyone in the business is their customer.

John McIntyre of HOTPMO used the analogy of “PMO as the Universal Connector” at the PMO Conference in London last week which I think is a great way to describe how PMO can help bridge gaps, form connections and become the glue needed for effective extended workforce management – which in turn is the trigger and enabler for a more effective one workforce approach.

Q: How do you approach partnerships with clients and suppliers?

A: We partner. Transparency builds trust. PMOs are uniquely positioned to foster alignment between clients, suppliers, and tech. Sometimes it’s like marriage counselling—getting everyone talking again.

Q: What’s RedWizard’s role during delivery?

A: We’re the plinth the conductor stands on. The enabler behind the scenes. The wizard behind the curtain. We help you shine, then step back. And when needed—we step back in. It’s never about embedding for life; it’s about building capability, educating, and empowering.

Q: How do you view AI in this space?

A: It is changing so quickly but right now, I see AI as an enabler, removing noise and manual effort so people can focus on those activities that really benefit from human connection. Our “Concerto” health check tool will use AI to gather and cross- reference large volumes of information, a process which is currently handled manually.  This new efficiency means lower costs for Clients using the tool and enables our Concerto Consultants to focus on what they do best – interpreting health check results for Clients and helping them turn their Concerto insights into a measurable plan of action.

Q: What’s your philosophy around collaboration?

A: Stay in your lane. Go deep. Then partner with others who bring different expertise. That’s how you build truly market-ready, innovative solutions. It’s not about empire-building—it’s about crafting value.

I really wanted to highlight RedWizard, and the amazing work that they are doing behind the scenes supporting external Workforce programmes within many Organisations. You probably have not heard of them, but it’s important to highlight how they have supported to strategically evolve some of the biggest External workforce programmes around 😉.

PMO is often overlooked when building out workforce programmes. Bringing in the right partners to help support setting it up correctly, minimises effort, noise and ensures success.

I would really like to thank Jools for her time and insights!

“ You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards” Steve Jobs

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