This International Women’s day we’re taking a moment to celebrate some of the women that keep the IPJ cogs turning day in and day out. Our team of ladies have also this year been featured in AFI’s ‘women in fencing’ feature and it’s no surprise as between them these 6 ladies have dedicated over 100 years of their lives to I.P. Jones.
Kelsay Jones – Finance Director
When Kelsey met Ian Jones in 1991, their first romantic date included a visit to his accountant to drop off a biscuit box of invoices and a spike full of receipts. The writing was on the wall. From that moment, Kelsay began learning how to balance the books from scratch.
As finance director, she has been central to IPJ’s journey from one man with a wheelbarrow, a spade and a dream to a nationwide operation with over 50 installers delivering more than £100 million of work across the country.
As co-founder of I.P. Jones Fencing Contractors Ltd, Kelsay has helped steer the company through growth, investment and expansion, while ensuring it remains viable, sustainable and rooted in the same family values that her and Ian built it on. The balance can be challenging but it’s one she relishes.
Fairness is at the heart of her leadership. A strong advocate for her team, she motivates supports and holds high standards in equal measure. As the only woman in the company for many years, and one of few within the broader fencing industry, Kelsay now leads a team of exceptional women helping to keep the wheels of the industry turning.
Laura Oxley – Accounts Manager
Laura has been an integral part of I.P. Jones since 2019, working alongside Kelsay in the accounts department. She began her role working in purchase ledger and carrying out odd admin and support jobs in the office. Her hard work and meticulous attention to detail have led her to build her career with I.P. Jones, becoming the office Accounts Manager in recent years. Her responsibilities cover the purchase and sales ledger duties, as well as vital support to the QS team where she sets up jobs, formulates variation estimates, and contributes to inputting jobs for billing.
Laura has also been studying part time at university for the past 7 years, and recently graduated with a BSc in Natural Science, with a focus on Environmental Sciences. She has put her degree to immediate use taking on the responsibility of heading up I.P. Jones’ sustainability efforts alongside Lynne. They are both currently working towards implementing a sustainable development plan for the business, aiming to improve the environmental impact at every step of the company’s processes, from supply chain to our practices around the office.
Laura is looking forward to seeing what the future holds for her career at I.P. Jones, as she continues to be an asset in the world of fencing, along with the other amazing women she works with.
Lynne Cowburn – Health and Safety Coordinator
Lynne has been an invaluable part of I.P. Jones for over 20 years. Lynne became an IPJ team member almost accidentally, following a casual job enquiry with close family friends & neighbours Ian & Kelsay, after redundancy from a previous job as a technical designer. Very quickly Lynne’s role evolved and grew ; what started as an informal admin stop gap, soon became a permanent, specialised and integral role within the company.
Initially, Lynne developed the technical side of the business alongside Ian, with the introduction of CAD. For further company growth and development, in 2011 Lynne completed a NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, to enable I.P. Jones to have internal legislative understanding and coordination, alongside their external Health & Safety consultant. This was the start of her journey into her role as Health & Safety Coordinator, working alongside the Directors, Management and Operatives, to drive forward safe working practices and attitudes within the industry. Lynne has been the driving force behind I.P. Jones achieving accreditation with SSIP members, CHAS, SMAS & CQMS and acquiring Gold Contructionline Membership.
As a primary member of the family run business, Lynne has a vast amount of knowledge and understanding of the fencing industry and has been involved in many of the diverse areas that manage I.P Jones’ ongoing development and that have been vital to its success. Lynne is a hugely respected member of the IPJ team by both office staff and lads on site (even if they are a little scared of her)
Sarah Mckay – Payroll Manager
Sarah Mckay has been part of the fencing world for over two decades, gaining a unique perspective through both family life and hands-on involvement in the industry. Married to a fencer and long connected to I.P. Jones, she first worked with the company on a temporary basis, supporting H&S Coordinator Lynne in getting the company’s NVQs up and running. It was a demanding task, but one successfully achieved through persistence and teamwork.
In March 2021, Sarah made the decision to join I.P. Jones full-time as Payroll Manager. Transitioning from the classrooms of Blackburn into the fast-paced world of fencing marked a significant and rewarding career change. Since stepping into the role, she has embraced the challenges that come with managing payroll in a busy, operational environment, applying both resilience and attention to detail to the position.
Having observed the fencing industry from the outside for many years, Sarah was keen to contribute from within. She values the strong family ethos at IPJ and takes pride in playing her part in a company that continues to grow while remaining true to its roots.
Jen Bowman – Key Accounts Manager
Jen is a vital part of the I.P. Jones team, playing a central role in procurement and operational coordination. She ensures our installers have the PPE, equipment and materials they need to deliver every project safely, efficiently and to the highest standard.
Over the years, Jen has built strong, trusted relationships with suppliers across the UK, uniquely positioning IPJ to source bespoke, high-quality fencing solutions nationwide. Her ability to align supplier lead times with on-site schedules ensures materials arrive exactly when and where they are needed.
Jen has been with IPJ for 12 years, originally starting in Housing Operations where she coordinated site teams and managed programming. This hands-on experience gives her a clear understanding of the realities of working on site and the importance of keeping projects running smoothly.
In addition to her procurement responsibilities, Jen also leads Customer Care for Housing Operations, ensuring clients receive responsive, professional support from handover through to completion. Her combined operational insight, supplier network and customer focus make her a key figure in delivering projects that meet both technical and client expectations
Suzie Killen – HR Administrator
Suzie plays a vital role at I.P. Jones as our HR Administrator, overseeing the welfare and wellbeing of more than 60 employees working nationwide. She manages key HR functions that keep the organisation running smoothly, from coordinating recruitment and onboarding paperwork to maintaining accurate employee records and supporting day-to-day staff welfare.
With 19 years at IPJ, Suzie has built strong, trusted relationships across the business and developed a deep understanding of both our operations and the wider industry. She works closely with staff and leadership to ensure policies are followed, questions are answered and employees feel supported throughout their journey with us.
Passionate about fostering a positive workplace culture, Suzie promotes clear communication, champions a neuroinclusive environment and encourages a healthy work-life balance. Her experience enables her to identify and address challenges early, preventing issues from escalating and safeguarding both project timelines and the wellbeing of our team.
Working largely behind the scenes, Suzie keeps processes efficient and accessible, always aiming to make things easier for everyone. She is proud to be part of a team that genuinely cares about its people and works together to create a supportive, collaborative environment.
