Meet our people

Francesca Martin
Resourcing Coordinator

It was 2004 when I started at LV= as a team leader overseeing an administration team. After a year and a half, I wanted a new challenge where I could develop my skills and experience with the company. So I moved into a project role within recruitment. Not only has this given me the chance to progress my career, but I have been fortunate enough to meet new people and make some very good friends. I look forward to seeing what the future brings, and what exciting new opportunities come my way.

1. What attracted you to LV=?

I moved to the area and found an advert in the paper for vacancies at LV=. It was the salary that caught my attention. When I attended an interview, everybody seemed really friendly and approachable – it confirmed to me that LV= was where I wanted to work.

2. What's the best thing / most rewarding aspect of your job?

I love meeting candidates during the recruitment process. I enjoy talking to them and getting to know them and finding out why they want to work for LV=. We really try to keep the session relaxed and welcoming as we have all been through interviews and know exactly how it feels.

The most rewarding aspect of my job is seeing the successful candidates start in the business – it's great to meet them all and congratulate them on their new job. It's even better to see them progress within the company.

3. What skills / behaviours do you use the most?

Communication skills are really important in my role, especially when I am interviewing a candidate. I need to have excellent listening and questioning skills, especially when interviewing. I like our values as a company and keep them in mind with my work. The one I most relate to is 'treat people like family'.

4. What's the atmosphere /culture like at LV=?

It's lively, challenging but really supportive. We work hard but we also like to have a bit of fun along the way. You feel like you're part of a team and that you can actually make a difference in your role.

5. What's the social life like at LV=?

I have made some really good friends since I've started working here. Teams and departments go out quite frequently so there's a strong social scene too. We also have summer and Christmas parties, so it's great for the whole company to all get together throughout the year.

6. Why should somebody come to work for LV=?

You're valued and recognised for doing a great job. I love that I have the opportunity to progress and to also develop my skills along the way. Everybody here is approachable and I feel that I can always ask for help if I am stuck.

7. What career development opportunities have you had at LV?

Well, I started here 4 years ago as a Team Leader. After about a year and a half I applied for a project role in recruitment and I've stayed ever since. I am still looking to progress within the company and my manager and I are working together to help me get the right skills and experience to move on up.

8. How do you rate the rewards and benefits available to LV= employees?

Our benefits are fantastic. We get great discounts on LV= products, have a really good pension scheme and the option to buy and sell holiday to name just a few – oh, and of course the salary is competitive. I think the rewards and benefits we get here are excellent, they help make you feel valued working for LV=.

Geoff Shooter
Sales Support Consultant

I joined the LV= family last January, having worked in financial services for 25 years. Day to day, I help independent financial advisers to identify pension needs and aim to provide solutions using our retirement products. It’s my job to keep on top of legislation and industry changes, so I can support the generation of sales and new business. One of the most enjoyable parts of my job is arranging corporate events - the 20/20 county cricket was particularly successful. Here in Cheapside, I have all the support and encouragement I need to fulfil my ambitions.

1. What attracted you to LV=?

I became part of LV= when my previous company was acquired in January 2008. But already, I feel very comfortable at LV=.

2. What's the best thing / most rewarding aspect of your job?

I am dealing with independent financial advisers all the time and keeping them and their clients happy is key. If I can help tailor a client's needs with one of our products or help secure some business by demonstrating a competitive edge, then that for me is very satisfying. I have got to know an awful lot of IFAs spanning many years and in the main enjoy a strong, positive relationship. Keeping that, going forward and at the same time introducing myself to new IFAs is the most rewarding.

3. What skills / behaviours do you use the most?

It is important for me to prioritise and manage my time but that isn't always easy. Calls and enquiries are coming in throughout the day, some warranting immediate action. A quick evaluation to assess urgency or work is often needed and also a good understanding of the IFA's daily pressures from their clients.

4. What's the atmosphere / culture like at LV=?

I work in the City and that in itself creates a real buzz of excitement. I'm located in Cheapside and share the same offices as our friends in LV= Asset Management. We work as a team and support each other when the need arises and utilise our strengths and specialist areas of knowledge. It all makes for a challenging but also fun place to be. My favourite LV= value is 'treat people like family' and I am most definitely in that environment at work. It's always busy but enjoyable too.

5. What's the social life like at LV=?

As you may know, LV sponsor County Championship Cricket so it's hardly surprising LV= arrange a number of social and sporting events throughout the year. If you like to get involved in any event no matter how small, LV= will try and help raise awareness particularly if you are taking part in a charity event.

6. Why should somebody come to work for LV=?M

LV= has an enviable reputation in the market and that's a pretty good place to start. The current management are dynamic and are passionate about their members, customers and its people. Everyone at LV= can make a difference and have opportunity to express their views and opinions in a variety of ways. This can mean a chat with line management to open forums with senior management. To put it simply, LV= is a caring employer always ready to listen to make things better. It's a good place to work.

7. What career development opportunities have you had at LV?

LV= has a well-publicised intranet service called Heartbeat giving you information on just about everything you need to know. You can use the intranet if you want to know about other areas of the business or maybe you want to find out what events are taking place or how LV= is helping out in the community. It can also help with job opportunities or help to learn a new skill. I've undertaken a number of projects in recent years looking at the way we work and looking for ways to make improvements in a process. These often result in both a time and cost saving. LV= like those ideas.

8. How do you rate the rewards and benefits available to LV= staff?

LV= offers a very competitive benefits package as a whole and what I find extremely useful is the flexible benefits allowing you to value and prioritise those available. It means you can select the benefits that most suit your needs and to cover your family which for me is great. They also offer a very attractive pension scheme which again is very important to me. We even receive employee bonuses based on the company performance. In addition to all of this, LV= provide a number of staff discounts. How about 25% off your car insurance premium? I will certainly be taking up this valuable benefit when my renewal expires.

Joel Sheppard
Team Leader - GI Retention Unit

Joining LV= almost 6 years ago was a turning point in both my career and social life. I was 19, and having recently finished college, did not know which path to follow. I started in a telephone-based role, which I enjoyed so much I decided to become a Trainer. My Team Leader fully supported me through a range of courses, which increased my confidence in the role and my assertiveness in general. LV= takes role progression very seriously, and I appreciate the time and effort spent on my development. I am now a Team Leader and I love helping my team progress, just as I did.

1. What attracted you to LV=?

I liked the fact that LV= is a large, reputable organisation that focus heavily on customer service and career development and I wanted to be a part of that. The company has grown substantially since I joined, making it even better than it was then.

2. What is the best thing / most rewarding aspect of your job?

I am motivated by being able to help my team members achieve their own goals as well as those of the business. This involves daily interaction and working together to accomplish objectives as we are all part of the team.

3. What skills / behaviours do you use the most?

I use management skills on a daily basis with my team to help achieve the best results. With these come persuasive behaviours to assist in a debate or discussion to attempt to gain a positive result.

4. What is the atmosphere /culture like at LV=?

LV= maintais an extremely friendly and fun, yet professional culture. We focus on the task in hand, but ensure we have a great time getting the results that we want. Everyone feels part of a team and coming to work is definitely enjoyable.

5. What is the social life like at LV=?

We have thousands of employees at LV=, which means that there are plenty of opportunities for social activities to take place. These may vary from trips to theme parks and boat parties to bowling tournaments and football teams.

6. Why should somebody come to work for LV=?

LV= is a company that is extremely focused on their employees as well as their customers; there are many opportunities available to people who would like to develop themselves. It is also a fantastic, rewarding place to work with great offices waiting for great new recruits.

7. What career development opportunities have you had at LV=?

I started as a Customer Service Representative on the telephone before becoming a Trainer for new starters. I then wished to progress again, so with the assistance of my manager I was able to further my own career by becoming a Team Leader. The career opportunities at LV= are endless and I have taken full advantage of them.

8. How do you rate the rewards and benefits available to LV= employees?

They are fantastic and extremely advantageous to all who use them. There are huge discounts on motor and home policies, and you can even get a discount on your pet insurance.

Tamsin Crane
Compliance Monitoring Officer

I started working for LV= in 2000 in the GI Sales department and moved to the GI Service department a couple of years later. I was then asked to join the Staff Shop team, which over the years grew in size and then amalgamated into a paper work team as well. In 2007 I joined the Group Financial Crime Department which was very interesting. Since then, I have joined the Group Compliance Monitoring Department which is both challenging and rewarding. The role enables me to learn about the many different business areas within LV= and has given me confidence and learn new skills.

1. What attracted you to LV=?

I first started here 8 years ago and needed a job that would be secure and flexible as I had a small child. LV= stood out from the rest and had been recommended by a few of my friends who already worked here.

2. What's the best thing / most rewarding aspect of your job?

The best aspect of my job is getting to know people from different areas of the business, learning about what they do and how that effects LV=. I've learnt a lot in the past 3 months and LV= is also paying for me to complete the Certificate in Financial Planning qualification.

3. What skills / behaviours do you use the most?

Being approachable is was important in my role. I want other business units to feel they can ask me or my team for advice or assistance if they feel they need it. I always go and have a chat with the relevant managers prior to issuing any reports as I want them to feel involved in our findings and discuss any issues that arise. It's important to remain positive and friendly even if the conversation topic is difficult.

4. What's the atmosphere / culture like at LV=?

There's a real feeling of everyone working together for a common goal and because of that a lot of people are proud to say they work at LV=.

5. What's the social life like at LV=?

The social life here is very good. The summer and Xmas parties are always a laugh and it's a good time to get to know everyone away from work. Risk Management played bowls in the summer and it was very funny. You get to see people in a different light and I think it brings us all together at work more.

6. Why should somebody come to work for LV=?

LV='s going places. In the last year or so, we've really got an image that we can be proud of and people are actually starting to hear about us. Employees are treated very well, with a strong emphasis on treating us like family.

7. What career development opportunities have you had at LV?

I started at LV= in the general insurance sales department and moved to service a year or so later. I was asked to work in the staff shop five years ago which has undergone a huge change in appearance in the last couple of years. I moved to the Financial Crime Department last summer and just recently applied and was successful in joining the Group Compliance Monitoring Department which I'm enjoying every minute of. I must admit that a few years ago I'd never have thought I'd get to where I am now, working part-time but I realise now the opportunities are available for all.

8. How do you rate the rewards and benefits available to LV= employees?

The benefits LV= have to offer are brilliant. They range from employee discounts to childcare vouchers to healthcare and the rewards are good as well. Work well and you get rewarded well.