Danielle (Ellie) Jones has recently taken on the role of Corporate Sustainability Responsibility (CSR) Manager after seven years in our Recruitment area.
Read on to learn more about Ellie’s Admiral journey.
Danielle (Ellie) Jones has recently taken on the role of Corporate Sustainability Responsibility (CSR) Manager after seven years in our Recruitment area.
Read on to learn more about Ellie’s Admiral journey.
What do you do in Admiral and how long have you been working here?
I’ve worked at Admiral for ten years! I started off working part time in an administration role in our Central Training team, Learning and Development, and I was immediately bought into the culture and values. I instantly knew I didn’t want to work anywhere else.
Once I’d finished my studies (I was in university studying Education for the first two years of my Admiral journey), I decided to up my hours to full time and soon moved over to the Recruitment Team. I did various roles in Recruitment from recruiting front-line staff to managing the team. I am so grateful for my time in Recruitment which saw me develop people management skills, project management skills and I was also fortunate enough to travel to support our colleagues in India and Canada! My last two years on the team was spent building the ‘Engagement Team’ – our very own attraction team centred within Recruitment. In two short years, we launched a new careers website mid-pandemic, developed a workable strategy, and revolutionised how we attract diverse talent to our UK business.
In July 2021 I applied for the role of UK CSR Manager, and that’s where I am now. Having started very recently (1st September), I’m spending my time developing a community strategy that aligns with our business purpose; helping more people to look after their future, striving for better together.
How did you get into your role? What is your background?
Having had little-to-no real business experience before joining Admiral, I’ve always felt grateful for the support I’ve had here. I’ve worked at Admiral since I was 19, and everything I’ve learned has been from the inspirational people I’ve met along the way. When you are motivated, hard-working, and passionate, doors will open for you. CSR is something that I’ve always been super passionate about, and now I get to do it full-time! I feel like I’m living out my dream job, but I’m also not naïve enough to take it for granted. It’s taken time, lots of building strong internal and external networks, taking on duties outside of my “day-job” and a lot of pushing myself outside of my comfort zone.
Is this the sort of career you imagined when you were younger?
I never really knew what I wanted to be when I was growing up, but I definitely didn’t grow up desperate to work at a Financial Services company! If you asked me 15 years ago where I would be today, I wouldn’t have said working for a Financial Services Company. Certainly not a Financial Services company that’s been recognised as being one of the best places to work IN THE WORLD! It wouldn’t have even crossed my mind that I would be a shareholder!
Thinking back, I wish that my Year 12 Careers Advisor was a little more ‘in the know’ about all the opportunities on my doorstep! I don’t ever recall a conversation about opportunities in HR, Marketing, Finance, Analytics etc. I am so grateful that I’ve been able to spend seven years on our internal Recruitment Team and learn about all the different departments and business areas that make for a successful business! I’d have loved to have that exposure earlier on in my teens.
What sort of support have you received when seeking development opportunities?
The support at Admiral is second to none! I’ve been lucky enough to be supported and mentored by some of the industries’ finest over my ten years. I have taken full advantage of the internal career opportunities, more recently formalised as our Internal Careers Office. I received funding to complete an Employment Law Diploma with Cardiff University and more recently, a Post Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Leadership with Cardiff Metropolitan University.
The internal movement opportunities are great! I was supported by those around me and have always been encouraged to take risks and push boundaries. I feel like a perfect example of Admiral investing in people.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to succeed at Admiral?
We truly invest in people at Admiral, and it really is about potential more than perfection. If you work hard and show how passionate you are, nothing is out of reach! You’re not the finished article, there is always an opportunity to keep developing and learning. You have to want to work hard, and you must be passionate about what you do.
I am a regular girl from the South Wales Valleys. I went to a regular community High School, I wasn’t Head Girl, nor did I partake in any extra-curricular activities whilst at university (the university that was not my first choice, I might add!). I worked hard through my studies, and I did OK – my results weren’t ground-breaking, but they were OK.
It’s taken ten years (which has absolutely flown by!) and now I’m a month into my perfect job! And If I can do it, so can anyone else.
