[1] Educated at Caledonian School in Liverpool until he was 12 when he left to become a railway messenger, although he continued to attend evening classes.
[1] After a number of varied jobs he became a stockbroker, Joseph joined Settle, Speakman & Company and became the chairman and managing director.
[1] In 1918 Joseph unsuccessfully stood for Parliament in the new constituency of Liverpool Fairfield for the Coalition Liberals.
[1] He was a director of many public companies including the Midland Bank and from 1937 to 1940 was a member of the Royal Commission on the Location of Industry.
[1] Joseph was promoted to Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1935 and created a baronet in 1942.