How does your usual day look like?

It’s true to say that every day is quite different for me, but here goes ... 

I generally get up at 6:30am and start the day with a cup of tea whilst checking my emails, then shower and get ready for the day. I always take an early morning walk or run (recently, we’ve also been redoing the Couch to 5K running programme – the hardest part of that being going through the front door!) with Lexi, my rescue dog, she’s happy to go out whatever the weather! 

Then I spend an hour or so responding to emails or writing and reviewing papers for the next Board meeting I’m due to attend. If I’m going to the office in St. Albans or London, I wait for the traffic rush to subside and then take the train, doing a little more work whilst travelling (by going a little later I can usually get a seat with a table!).

At the office, I would usually have a number of internal meetings and catch ups with different members of the team. Then a couple of calls  with clients and their advisers. 

Summer brings the event season, so that means leaving the office around 6pm and then on to an event, the last one was at the British Museum. It’s always lovely to see old friends and make new ones! By 9pm I’m ready to leave so that’d be a walk, a train, a taxi and then flopping into bed by 11pm. 

What are the things you like the most about your job?

People, people, people – whether they are colleagues, clients or other collaborators I am lucky to work with lots of different people and they are endlessly fascinating – I think I’m a frustrated psychologist at heart! I also like the variety of what I get involved in, mixing the internal management role with client facing delivery and little bit of business development.

What are some of the skills you utilise the most in your day-to-day?

My most used skills are communication and organisation.

I need to be an active listener to really understand what clients or colleagues want / need but also need a voice to provide direction and guidance to the teams I work with.

Motivation and engagement are all important in a client service business so communication and clarity are key to that. My role supporting Trustee Boards involves a lot of organisation and ensuring none of the balls get dropped! 

What was one of your happiest days in your career and why?

Hmmm, that’s difficult as I can’t recall a specific day, but it would always be a day when I was able to combine my love of being with people alongside my love of learning and would be topped off with some chilled out social time!

What has been your greatest challenge on your career path and how did you overcome it?

My biggest career challenge was also a personal challenge, in 2019 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and that meant, for the first time ever, I had to take a period of sickness leave whilst I underwent surgery (twice) and then radiotherapy.

I found it extremely difficult to find focus for my days but I was simply too emotionally and physically exhausted to work. Returning after 3 months absence, I threw myself back into work and managed to pick up where I had left off!

What is something you had to learn to become better at your job?

Not always doing everything and learning to effectively delegate without micro managing others. I think I’ve got better but one you might have to ask the team about!

How did you get to become a Director of Client Services?

When I started at ZEDRA Inside Pensions, I joined in a relatively junior role but perseverance and doing the right thing for colleagues and clients alike was recognised and I rapidly climbed the corporate ladder.

What are the top three pieces of advice you would give to other women aiming to achieve long-term success in their careers?

• Work hard but balance that with your outside of work life. 

• Be open, be authentic and maintain your integrity.

• Have a plan and make sure you define what long-term success means for you – it doesn’t have to be status or money!

Professional networking for women matters because…

It enables us to make connections with likeminded individuals who are able to share their experiences and how they have overcome the challenges of being a woman, whether that’s time out for children, menopause or anything else that impacts us differently to men.