MY CIPP
A day in the life of a CIPP board member In the final instalment in our series of summer articles, we introduce you to some more of the CIPP’s board members, and invite you to take a glimpse into a typical day in each of their lives…
I first qualified many years ago with the Association of Payroll and Superannuation Administrators (APSA), one of the CIPP’s predecessors. The qualification has been good for me, as I’ve built a career in pensions in both the public (local government) and private sector. Like many of the board directors, I have other roles in the pensions / payroll world which run alongside – I’m mainly involved in pensions in higher education – but the CIPP role is special. I have lots to learn and hope I can do it justice, by further developing the pensions offering at the CIPP for payroll and pensions professionals. three times a week and on those days, I’ll always try to park away from the office so I can get my steps in, as well as climbing the stairs to the second floor. We have a great office environment and I love being in the office to spend time with the various teams – all of which work exceptionally well together and are always happy to help each other out. Meetings generally start at 9.00am and are very varied, other than my direct leader meetings which are planned for Mondays and Tuesdays. Prior to that, I always like to make sure all emails have been responded to. The first hour is very much the teams sending through their quick queries or me responding to queries from the previous day. As for the rest of my day, each day, however planned and organised, often brings unexpected elements to it that require addressing as a priority. As you
I now work mainly from home, having spent many years (and nights) working away. I cherish the working time I have in my small home office (that’s a grand title but it’s the smallest room in the house, our old box bedroom). It’s gym first thing; nothing strenuous but it’s a good start to the day and I like to keep up the routine. The first few hours of the day are usually about catching up: reading and responding to emails from yesterday, reviewing overnight updates and checking the morning’s pensions news. Pensions are newsworthy these days – in both the general media and the specialist press sure I have a break and get some fresh air, whether that is a walk around the woodland route we have next to the office, or a short walk with the dogs if I’m at home. Often the end of the day then comes around quickly. If I’m at home, my husband Pete and I like to go for a six-mile run through the local park, or it’s a short drive home from the office if I’m there. can imagine, working for the UK’s fourth- largest supermarket means there’s always something going on! We all have those days when you look at your to-do list and wonder what has happened, but you’ve still managed to achieve things. It’s also rare that a meeting finishes without actions being taken away, but this suits me as I love to be busy and thrive on challenges. I work best when there’s a tight deadline. When lunchtime comes, I make
Liz Lay MSc FCIPPdip FHEA ACIPD My day normally starts at 5.00am when I am heading to the office, or 5.30am when I am working from home. The first job of the day is to let the dogs out and give them their breakfast – including Fifi, our Boxer/Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross and Milo, our Boxer who, like my sons, is a mummy’s boy. Next is getting myself breakfast, then ready to head to work. I’m in the office
Brendan Mulkern FCIPP I’m lucky to have a working day which usually brings a range of different tasks and challenges. I’m pleased to say this extended in spring of this year, as I became a board member of the CIPP.
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | September 2023 | Issue 93 14
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