IFSDG: How long have you worked at
Marsh?
Audrey: Nine years.
IFSDG: How many people work at
Marsh?
Audrey: Marsh in Glasgow is part of Marsh
& McLennan Companies, a global professional services firm with
over 52,000 employees worldwide. Marsh specialises in insurance and
risk advisory services, while our sister companies Guy Carpenter
and Mercer focus on risk and reinsurance, and HR and related
financial advice.
IFSDG: What is your vision for Marsh in
Glasgow?
Audrey: My vision is for Marsh to be the
pre-eminent risk adviser in Glasgow for organisations both
headquartered in Scotland and those with a presence in the
country.
IFSDG: What's a typical day for you?
Audrey: My day usually starts with dropping
my girls off at school and nursery. I'm usually in the office by
8.30 and enjoy the 'calm before the storm' each day. While taking
my first cup of coffee, I'll check my emails for messages that need
an immediate response. My day will then kick off in earnest by
catching up with my team.
As well as managing the development of Marsh's business in
Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, a large part of my
role involves working with our clients to make sure that their
insurance and risk programmes are delivering best value for them;
and acting as their 'ear to the ground' with the insurance market.
Nothing gives me more satisfaction than working with my clients to
ensure that their risk and insurance strategies are protecting
their businesses effectively and helping them to be more
successful.
IFSDG: How many emails do you receive on
an average day?
Audrey: On a good day, I can get up to 100
emails. However, it can be considerably more, depending on the
number of projects I'm working on at the time. Email is without
doubt a vital tool of communication, but I always encourage my team
to pick up the phone. Nothing beats verbal or physical contact when
it comes to creating connections and getting jobs done.
IFSDG: Why did Marsh choose to locate in the
IFSD in Glasgow?
Audrey: Marsh has a long history of doing
business in Glasgow. As a global insurance broker and risk adviser,
it is vitally important that Marsh has a presence in locations
where we can be best placed to serve our clients.
IFSDG: Three good things about working in
Glasgow?
Audrey: The Glasgow business culture is very
open and accessible; the Glasgow business community in my
experience has long shared an enduring passion for 'getting the job
done' and it is no wonder that it has an excellent reputation
globally for financial services.
Glasgow is also a very accessible city, in terms of its central
location in Scotland. The transport links to London make it easy to
be in the City of London in a couple of hours.
Glasgow offers a great work/life balance. Due to the presence of
such a diverse range of firms, varied career opportunities are
plentiful. As a native, I couldn't mention Glasgow and not refer to
its shops! Glasgow has all the great shops to rival London, Paris
and New York, yet it retains its own unique culture and offers a
great way of life for families.
IFSDG: What is your biggest business
achievement to date?
Audrey: I was particularly proud of being
promoted to a Managing Director at Marsh while juggling the demands
of motherhood; as I had just had my second child! Marsh excels at
recognising and rewarding talent, and I was delighted that the firm
acknowledged my commitment.
IFSDG: What is the best investment you
ever made?
Audrey: While my career continues to deliver
a great deal of personal gratification, my two children are far and
away the best investment I have ever made.
IFSDG: Which business person or company
do you most admire and why?
Audrey: Throughout my career I've been very
fortunate to work with some great people and mentors, whom I've
learnt so much from. Our UK CEO Martin South, continually impresses
me with his sharp strategic focus and boundless enthusiasm for our
business; while John Nicholson, Marsh's Risk and Compliance
Director, has been a constant source of inspiration throughout my
time at Marsh.
IFSDG: What did you want to be when you
were a child?
Audrey: As a child I always imagined myself
as a surgeon or a mathematician. I didn't have the hands for
surgery, but I did have a head for numbers!
IFSDG: What do you do to relax away from the
office?
Audrey: Shopping, eating out with friends
and holidaying.
IFSDG: Blackberry or I-Phone?
Audrey: I use both. A BlackBerry for
work; I-Phone for friends.
IFSDG: Suit or no suit?
Audrey: I do both. Suits are a must for
work; but the tailoring stays firmly in the wardrobe at the
weekends.
IFSDG: Heels or pumps?
Audrey: Again, I wear both. Pumps are
perfect for commuting, but the heels are always in my bag for when
I arrive at the office.
IFSDG: Wine or cocktails?
Audrey: Wine, every time.
IFSDG: Sunshine or snow?
Audrey: Sunshine, although I love ski-ing
in winter sun.
IFSDG: and finally, what three words
to sum you up
Audrey: Decisive, Dedicated,
Determined