IFSDG: How long have you worked in NFU Mutual
Direct?
Adriana: I have worked for NFU Mutual
Direct since 2001.
IFSDG: How many people work at NFU Mutual
Direct?
Adriana: Our parent company, NFU Mutual,
employs over 3,500 people across the UK. NFU Mutual Direct
employs around 300 people both here at Centenary House, our
flagship office in central Glasgow, and at our sister site in
Cardiff.
IFSDG: What is the vision for NFU Mutual Direct in
Glasgow?
Adriana: For our people, we want to offer
them the very best place to work in Glasgow - one where they can
enjoy working and can build their futures. For our customers,
we offer a great company to do business with, backed by people who
will look after them when they need their insurance company to
support them. Finally, we strive to be a vital part of our wider
organisation, driving sustainable, profitable growth.
IFSDG: What's a typical day for you?
Adriana: I manage
a small team of internal communications and change
specialists. A large part of our role is providing structured
and effective messaging for our people and to our partners in the
wider business. We are also responsible for the management of
change within NFU Mutual Direct, so the team are custodians of our
local change governance processes, ensuring that any change is
properly managed, timed effectively and communicated well. As
well as supporting my team, I also handle local project management
for strategic projects. So, there is no such thing really as
a typical day!
IFSDG: Three good things about
working in Glasgow?
Adriana: Oh, that's a hard one!
1. The food - as a vegan, it can be tough sometimes to get a
good lunch. But, Glasgow is apparently one of the best cities
in the UK to be vegan and there's quite a lot of choice!
2. Transport links - it's really easy to leave the car at
home and use public transport to get to and from work. I live
in North Lanarkshire and the links are really frequent and reliable
- even when the Queen Street tunnel is closed! 3.
Shopping! Or maybe that's a bad thing…
IFSDG: What is your biggest business achievement to
date?
Adriana: I am most proud of the part I
played in the development of one of the biggest changes ever to be
introduced into NFU Mutual Direct. In 2009, we began to offer
an "out of hours" service through NFU Mutual Direct to our local
offices across the country. Over the last 6 years, we have
gradually grown the service and have now successfully introduced it
to all 300 of NFU Mutual's local agencies. We've grown
this part of the business from a very small specialist team in the
early days to the driving force of the NFU Mutual Direct operation,
and it continues to go from strength to strength.
IFSDG: What is the best investment you ever
made?
Adriana: In terms of time, the best
investment I have made is in gaining my Prince2
qualification. It has been invaluable to my role and is
helping me to deliver successful change management day to
day. Having confidence in the advice that I can offer my
colleagues around delivering change effectively is invaluable!
IFSDG: What did you want to be when you were a
child?
Adriana: I always wanted to be a
performer of some kind and have always been an active
musician. I still write and perform my own music and still
maintain my childhood dream of being on Top of the Pops!
Maybe one day… J (please visit www.adrianaspina.com
- you'll see what I mean!)
IFSDG: What do you do to relax away from the
office?
Adriana: Apart from playing music, I love
to spend time with my partner and my family. I have a new
baby niece who I just adore and will take any opportunity I can to
go and visit her! I love live music and go to a lot of gigs,
mostly around Glasgow. I am a huge heavy metal fan, but also
love Americana and country music… Really anything with a bit
of grit! I am a season ticket holder for our local pro
basketball team, the Glasgow Rocks and love going to watch tennis
whenever I can. I also have recently taken up silversmithing,
and enjoy make sterling silver jewellery whenever I can find the
time.
IFSDG: I-Phone or
Android?
Adriana: iPhone
IFSDG: Favourite
band?
Adriana: Pearl Jam
IFSDG: Favourite sport?
Adriana: Tennis
IFSDG: Favourite movie?
Adriana: Priscilla, Queen of the
Desert
IFSDG: Sunshine or
snow?
Adriana: Sunshine
IFSDG: and finally, what three words sum you
up?
Adriana: Creative, Caring,
Busy!