Insider profil
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Top Insider Advice
Whatever you’re good at, whether it be organisation or leadership or analytics, try your best to draw on those skills within your current role to really showcase what you do well. And not just in your role, look at other roles such as championing or volunteering to provide additional opportunities to really highlight what you are good at. This may then give you the chance to consider where you have improvements to make and think about how that can be achieved through shadowing, mentoring or further education / courses. There are so many opportunities at First Central to shine a light on our talents or improve our weaknesses. Take them!
Career path
Risk & Compliance Governance Manager
First Central
Started 04/2022 to PresentCompliance Monitoring Manager
First Central
From 01/2020 to 04/2022Compliance Business Partner
First Central
From 06/2018 to 01/2020Company
What do you like about your job and the company?
I really enjoy that, while I have a series of tasks I must complete each month, I have so much variety in what I do because I am supporting different teams. Risk, Compliance and Data Protection are very different in terms of requirements as well as how they work and collaborate and I think my people management skills and co-ordination are effective here. I also feel like I am supporting the business, even if it’s only in a small way through the training of Protecht or the reporting of actions. A part of my role is to ensure rigour is applied and I can achieve that in those tasks.
Greatest achievements
I came up with the idea of needing a champion role in the business that would be a contact point in each pillar for the risk and compliance teams, driving improved risk culture and communication across pillars. This developed into the idea of having a ‘Rigorously Running Your Pillar Champion role’ which was presented to and approved by our Execs. Champions and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from the risk and compliance teams will meet each month to discuss any initiatives they’re rolling out and track the progress of Strategic Driver KPIs discussing changes in performance and reasons for this. We’ve had two meetings so far which have been beneficial, already providing further knowledge about in-pillar activity and driving better awareness of risk and compliance.
Lauren H
Senior Wellbeing & Engagement Executive
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.
Julia B
Top Insider Advice
Don’t feel trapped within a certain career route. Think about the skills you have and see if you can use them in a different role. Find a company to work for that has an open, fair and equitable pay structure. If you need to take a step back and focus on your family that’s okay too. I’ve been able to return to a career at a later stage. Look for a company that invests in everyone regardless of their age/personal circumstances and will support your career post kids. Get as much work experience as possible, (and encourage your kids to get some too), and try different projects/experiences within your role so you have something for your CV.
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!
