Looking forward, the biggest changes to our organisation
in the post Covid era will be ....... taking the best of
what we've learned from our experience working from home during the
global pandemic and using it to shape our future operating model.
Moving forward, one size definitely does not suit all!
The future vision for our organisation in Glasgow is
...... to continue to grow our team of brilliantly
talented people, who work hard to deliver promises to our valued
customers.
The three best things about working in Glasgow are
..... easy access to the city centre enabling us to draw
from a wide talent pool, the lunchtime foodie options are fabulous
and our neighbourhood is made up of a network of professionals,
meaning access to expertise and best practice is just around the
corner.
My favourite part of Glasgow is ...... the West
End, where I love the vibrancy, particularly a pizza slice and a
cappuccino from Little Italy Pizzeria on Byres Road; it served me
well in the late 90's as study fuel and remains a rare treat to
this day.
The most satisfying thing about my job is ....
I love to compete, to win the deal and to receive industry
recognition, however, there is genuinely nothing more satisfying
than seeing our people develop to become the best versions of
themselves. And when those people, go on to make an
impact in the industry and lead our business into the future, for
me to have played a small part in their journey is a truly
rewarding experience.
Financial services is a great career choice
because ...... it is a cornerstone of the UK economy; its
ever changing landscape and unique challenges make it incredibly
diverse. Having experienced the challenges of the banking crisis of
the late noughties, the regulatory enforcement via the Financial
Conduct Authority. Combined with shifts in customer buying
behaviour and technology enhancements in CRM, cloud storage and
multi-channel service. The fluidity and fast pace that comes with a
career in the financial services industry means you never stop
learning and new opportunities to make an impact are always round
the corner.
The biggest challenge I have faced in my career to date
was when .... on graduating from university, I spent 10
years building my career, benefiting from significant investment in
my personal development, to enjoy a really successful senior role
in the retail banking. I had a wonderful team, who were at
the top of their game and I loved going to work each day.
The challenge came when I decided to give all that up for a
chance to lead an organisation with significant untapped potential
through a period of transformative change. This was, for me,
an enormous leap of faith. Changing sector, organisation and
taking on a more strategic role within NFU Mutual. On paper,
the organisations were very similar in terms of customer focus,
investment in people but of course I quickly realised that you
don't take your reputation with you.
All the connections and comfort that comes from being
established within an organisation over time are easy to take for
granted. I had to once again go about building my reputation,
networking and establishing new relationships, undertaking
additional professional qualifications and growing my knowledge of
the industry and customer segment. The rest as they say is
history! Ten years on, I reflect on my experience, how much
I've accomplished and grown and try to use this as a reminder that
fortune favours the brave.
Outside of work, I am passionate about .......
Scottish rugby, well rugby in general but add a healthy dose of
national pride and a small fortune on family season
tickets. Oh how I miss those cold, wet days at BT
Murrayfield stadium getting behind the national team ... ' Oh
flower of Scotland, when will we see….'
My approach to achieving work life balance is
....... autonomy, gained through trust and a track record
of achieving; this earns the benefit of increased flexibility
around working arrangements.
First ever job?
Nursery assistant for children under 2 years
Favourite boxset?
Catastrophe makes me laugh. The similarities with my own life
are uncanny
Favourite band?
Glasvegas
Sunshine or snow?
With winter just around the corner, it has to be snow!
And, finally, what three words best sum you
up?
Commerical, results-driven, leader.