Insider profil
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Top Insider Advice
I’m a natural introvert and I don’t think anyone in my personal life would describe me as outgoing or confident! But, I’ve found in my career so far that the occasions where I’ve been brave - whether that’s deciding to move away from HR (even though I studied a Masters in the topic!) or saying yes to presenting in front of a crowd of senior leaders - have been the times where I’ve grown and developed the most. I’m at a point in my career where I’m eager to grow and progress, so being brave is something I try to make a conscious effort to do. It can be scary to say yes to things you might usually shy away from but, by getting more practice and exposure to these things, over time they naturally begin to feel a bit easier. Even if things don’t always go to plan, it’s all part of the journey.
Career path
Culture Lead
First Central
Started 03/2023 to PresentCulture & Engagement Officer
First Central
From 11/2021 to 03/2023HR Officer
First Central
From 09/2019 to 11/2021Company
What do you like about your job and the company?
I really love my job and working on trying to improve colleagues’ experiences at work is something I genuinely am passionate about. We spend so much of our time at work so why shouldn’t we try and make it positive? I also enjoy that I tend to get instant feedback in this role, either from an event or piece of communication, and hearing about how an initiative may have helped a colleague receive some help for themselves is really rewarding. I also enjoy being creative and getting to write comms and blog posts, so thinking of new ways to engage with colleagues throughout the year is a fun challenge.
Greatest achievements
I'm most proud of developing our Wellbeing offering for colleagues, resulting in us placing 7th in the Super Large Category of Great Place to Work’s list of the UK’s Best Workplaces to work for Wellbeing. Before I joined the team, we already had a Wellbeing programme colleagues were aware of. When I came on board, we were able to dedicate a lot more time and resource to our Wellbeing Strategy and try things we’d never done before. Feedback throughout the year was positive from our colleagues and I was really pleased that we recently achieved a place in the top 10 Best UK Workplaces to Work for Wellbeing list, an initiative run by Great Places to Work. Being the only Insurance company in the top 10 is also a pretty nifty achievement. We receive fantastic internal feedback from our colleagues on Wellbeing so to have our efforts validated and recognised externally too was exciting! I’m proud and feel lucky to work in a company where a huge emphasis is placed on the colleague experience and colleagues’ Wellbeing too.
Chris B
Customer Claims Manager
Top Insider Advice
I really enjoy change delivery, developing ideas and simplifying processes in my role. ‘Find a role that supports your interests and develops your skills’, it provides longevity in the role, gives a sense of achievement and, overall, you’ll get enjoyment from the work you do.
Luke P
Test Engineer
Top Insider Advice
Going above and beyond in your career can be a game changer. It’s not just about meeting expectations, it’s about exceeding them consistently. When moving to the Test Engineering team I had a lot to learn instantly and a few things that I could pick up once I got more confident in the role. To be more efficient I wanted to make sure I could do the more complex parts of the role so I taught myself how to do database searches and automation testing using Selenium in my own time. Going the extra mile not only showcases your dedication but also your commitment to the department and company. Going above and beyond can set you apart and open doors to new and exciting possibilities.
Maria S
L&D Director
Top Insider Advice
Development never stops so own it; be the driver of your own skills development. Take time to build relationships and networks. Be brave to use your voice. No question is a stupid question so speak up if you need to ask or want to understand. Stay curious: everyone is human regardless of their level. People are always on hand to help so be confident to ask for it! Culture is key and great teams make great things happen!