…7.00am and I get up at 7.10am after one snooze. As a busy mum of two teenagers, I make sure I don’t lie in as I can’t rely on them getting themselves up for school and college.

Challenges of working from home this year have been…

…no different from normal. I am a remote-based underwriting manager and therefore have an office set up at home. I am in the unique position of having worked remotely since I started my career with Pepper.

This year has certainly brought challenges, though, as I am used to having the house to myself but have had to share my space (and the internet) with my husband and children.

But on the plus side…

…I have been able to support my team with the challenges of working from home. Everybody now has a bit of a taste of what has always been the norm for me.

The main purpose of my job is…

…to lead a team of dedicated case owners and to partner with brokers to ensure that they get the best service when they choose Pepper Money.

My team looks after applications from the point of DIP through to mortgage offer, helping brokers overcome the twists and turns that can arise during this process.

A common misconception about my role is…

…that I just manage a team. Managers often find themselves working alongside the case owners and getting stuck in. I like to make sure I am across all processes within my team so that I am a source of knowledge for any questions they have.

It’s also really interesting that brokers think they cannot speak directly to a case owner. My team all look after their own set of brokers and will happily take calls to discuss potential cases and existing business.

My typical day entails…

…where do I begin? There is so much variety in my role. It can range from one-to-ones, training and development with my team, and running service excellence workshops, to spending a significant amount of time with one broker trying to progress a particularly difficult case.

What I love is that no two days are ever the same.

My favourite work memory is…

…of my first summer party with Pepper, when we were invited on board the Cutty Sark. The venue was so unique, and the atmosphere was amazing.

This was my first chance to celebrate success with the wider team and get to know some of my colleagues on a social basis.

A perk of the job is…

…having a great team around me and being surrounded by an experienced wider team who all share the same values in wanting to get the job done, to ensure both brokers and customers are really ‘better with Pepper’.

Having previously been with a high-street lender for 18 years, it’s so refreshing to know that you can have a real influence on how things are done.

To unwind after work I…

…love to socialise (which has been difficult during 2020). I consider myself a bit of a social butterfly, whether that’s spending time with friends or seeing family – I enjoy catching up over a coffee or a cocktail.

I also love a Netflix or Amazon Prime series. I have recently enjoyed watching This is Us and The Crown.

Whenever the weather permits up north in Manchester, you will also find me out walking at the weekend.