Some questions for Julie
Question: What do you do to unwind at the end of a long day? Answer: After being stuck in an office all day, it’s definitely something outside in the fresh air. I really enjoy running and it’s amazing how much faster I can go if it’s been a particularly frustrating day! Otherwise I take my two dogs to the beach for some serious ball chucking.
Question: What do you like the most about being a Director at ZEDRA?
Answer: Without doubt it’s getting to meet such interesting people. I’m really nosey, so having the privilege of working closely with my clients and their families and building deep relationships with them is manna from heaven.
into force and it’s valuable to hear their views and exchange ideas. They also have a new piece of business for us, so all in all a very productive lunchtime.
14.00 p.m.
I have arranged a business planning meeting with our senior team. In my role as deputy MD, I am responsible, alongside the MD, for the leadership and performance of the Jersey business. We bring the team together several times a year to check progress against the plan set at the beginning of the year and make any adjustments we feel are needed. The team are all very experienced and engaged people, and have absolutely no fear of a robust debate!
17.00 p.m.
I’m usually in the office until about 19.00 p.m., but tonight I have to attend the quarterly board meeting of Citizens Advice where I am the treasurer and it is my role to prepare and present the financials to the other board members. They’re a great and diverse bunch of people and I have learned a lot from working with them the last few years. I talk them through the quarter’s results and answer any questions.
19.00 p.m.
I can finally head home. I always get a great welcome from Cassie, our golden lab, and Nina, our Shih Tzu. If my husband is at home he will invariably have made the dinner (I remember now why I married him…). We always make an effort to sit down to eat together and discuss our day.
22.00 p.m.
Time for bed, but not before a final check of the e-mails (terrible habit, but I’m sure ZEDRA couldn’t possibly survive until morning without me) and a big love-in with the dogs.
ACHIEVING 20/20 A day in the life of... Page 109
My colleagues are also fabulous people (don’t tell them I said that, I’ll never hear the end of it) and we laugh a lot, which is so important when you are working long hours and to tight deadlines. The sheer volume of chocolate and cake in the office also makes me pretty happy.
Question: What do you dislike most about being a Director at ZEDRA?
Answer: Never having enough hours in the day.
Question: How did you become a Director at ZEDRA? Answer: I was recruited to the business (at that time Barclays) at this level, having been a director with my previous employer for several years already.
Question: What advice would you give someone, either just starting their career or midway through their career, who wants to be a Director in the trust industry?
Answer: Keep taking the medicine! No, seriously, a career in the trust industry is hugely rewarding, especially if you have a genuine interest in people. It is however hard work and with the constantly changing tax landscape it is definitely a technical discipline.
My advice would be not to focus on becoming a director, but rather to focus on being the best at what you are doing right now. Get involved, really listen to your clients, volunteer for projects, ask questions, in short – take an interest! That’s what makes a great trustee. If you do all of those things, the promotions will come soon enough.
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