My alarm goes off at… …7.00am – unless I’m working from another office, when it’s a bit earlier, usually 5.30am.
I cannot leave the house without… …my headphones. I skip between podcasts during the day, but there’s usually a focus on true crime! I’ve just finished ‘To Live and Die in LA’ and I’m now working my way through ‘The Teacher’s Pet’, both of which I highly recommend.
I travel to work… …on foot, although I’m a fair-weather walker so will jump on the Tube if it’s raining. It’s an hour’s walk, so it’s a great start to the day. I have time to think about what’s coming up that day, catch up with my family or listen to another podcast.
The main purpose of my job… …is to support the business by developing the marketing strategy for our home finance, protection and annuities teams. This means I work closely with the teams to understand their overarching strategy and objectives. We then consider how we can help the business to achieve, or exceed, these through marketing initiatives.
An objective for the home finance team, for example, is to support advisers who want to engage more with the equity release sector. One of the ways we do this is to run a range of educational workshops designed with advisers in mind.
I joined… …the firm in 2009. I joined Stonehaven, a specialist equity release lender, which was acquired by Canada Life in 2018. My first role was sales support, helping advisers who wanted to register with us or understand more about our products.
In 2011 I moved to a marketing role, developing and delivering marketing campaigns, as well as supporting PR activity. I really enjoyed this broader role and started studying with the Chartered Institute of Marketing outside work.
Over the past few years I’ve continued to study, adding more diplomas to my name, as well as my Certificate in Equity Release. My role will evolve as the business grows and the retirement landscape continues to change, but the importance of supporting advisers has stayed with me since day one.
My typical day… …is varied. I work from different offices and support the business on a number of projects, so no two days are the same.
Typically, I’m in the office by 8.00am so I can check my emails before the day kicks off. Most days I have about four hours of meetings, although on some days it can be more. I usually leave the office between 5.30pm and 6.00pm.
People may not know I am responsible for… …the annuities and protection marketing strategies, as well as home finance. My broader responsibilities are new, and I’ve been working in the equity release sector for more than 10 years, so most people think of me for later-life lending.
A common misconception about my job is… …that it’s just marketing. In fact I work closely with the sales, product and operation teams to ensure we’re joined up across the business and put our customers first in everything we do.
My favourite work memory is… …any of our socials. I love the team I work with, and it’s great to celebrate our hard work and achievements together.
A perk of the job is… …getting to meet people. Whether it’s colleagues, advisers or journalists, I really enjoy meeting so many new people and getting to know them.
To unwind after work I like to… …spin! It’s a great way to reset your mind and push yourself.
My role in five words is… …varied, rewarding and good fun.
