IFSDG: How long have you worked
in MacRoberts?
Rupa: 15 ½ years
IFSDG: How many people work
at MacRoberts?
Rupa: 198
IFSDG: What is the vision
for MacRoberts in
Glasgow?
Rupa: Our vision
spans across Scotland as we continue to be one of Scotland's
leading independent law firms. We want to build our brand and
develop our client base whilst being able to offer a tailored
service to each and every client.
IFSDG: What's a typical day for
you?
Rupa: I start off with a cup of tea at my
desk and a quick chat with my team to see how we are all getting
on. After that, I'll check my e-mails to see if there are any
urgent staff matters that need dealt with. If there are, then
I do that. If not, I move on to my task list which is long
and varied! No two days are ever the same and so, in any given day,
I can deal with a range of matters - employee engagement,
recruitment, appraisals, diversity, wellbeing, communication, the
firm's learning and development strategy and assisting in
delivering the firm's corporate objectives. I always make a
point of stopping for lunch and getting out of the office - there's
nothing quite like a brisk walk up and down the Broomielaw next to
the Clyde to refresh you for the afternoon.
IFSDG: Why did
MacRoberts choose to locate in the IFSD in
Glasgow?
Rupa: MacRoberts moved to Capella in
2010, at a time when the IFSD had seen extensive
redevelopment. Its proximity to both Central Station and
Queen Street coupled with Capella being a modern, attractive office
with a high visual impact and excellent natural light levels made
it an obvious choice.
IFSDG: Three good things about working in
Glasgow?
Rupa: The people, the shops and the
restaurants!
IFSDG: What is your biggest
business achievement to date?
Rupa: I'm not sure if it's a business
achievement as such but winning my very first employment tribunal
(my background is I'm an employment lawyer) was a pretty big
achievement!
IFSDG: What is the best
investment you ever made?
Rupa: The time and effort I invested into
my husband's business in the early days really paid off - he's
doing very well now!
IFSDG: Which businessperson or
company do you most admire and why?
Rupa: My parents. My dad came to
Scotland from India in 1977 with not very much at all and at a time
when no-one was really willing to give him a job. So, my
parents started their own business. As a child, watching them
work incredibly hard all hours of the day to make it a success is
something that has stuck with me and has moulded me into the person
I am today.
IFSDG: What did you want to be
when you were a child?
Rupa: TV Presenter
IFSDG: What do you do to relax
away from the office?
Rupa: host fun events/shows such as the
Glasgow Mela, read, listen to music, spend time with my family
& friends.
IFSDG: I-Phone or Android?
Rupa: iPhone
IFSDG: Favourite band?
Rupa: They've broken up now but I loved
The Fugees.
IFSDG: Favourite sport?
Rupa: I'm not a sporty person but I'm
regularly forced to watch football by my 2 sons, so I'll say that
by default!
IFSDG: Favourite movie?
Rupa: Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
IFSDG: Sunshine or snow?
Rupa: Sunshine
IFSDG: and finally, what
three words sum you up?
Rupa: Fun, loyal &
lucky!