An Interview with Hannah Bullingham

Name: Hannah Bullingham
Role: SME Risk Operations Manager, Howden Employee Benefits & Wellbeing

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I have been a manager for many years now. Bringing people on board, training people up, then watching them grow and flourish makes me feel so proud.

What first attracted you to Howden?

I worked for Punter Southall Health & Protection for 12 years before they were acquired by Howden back in 2019. I can honestly say I have never been happier. Since this time, our benefits have been enhanced, including an increase in paid maternity leave. This has meant that we could reconsider expanding our family and I am happy to say I am now pregnant with a baby boy. If it hadn’t been for this change and the support of the business this wouldn’t have been an option for my family.

How would you describe the way the business has responded during Covid-19?

I have been so impressed by our business and the way we moved to remote working so quickly and successfully.

Being pregnant has meant that my set up at home wasn’t sustainable. My worries about being able to carry on working from home were quashed as soon as I flagged them and HR immediately provided me with a better desk and chair to ensure I was comfortable. I felt hugely supported which made a massive difference to my mental wellbeing at the time. I am very aware I may not have had that support from all employers and consider myself very lucky to be working for Howden.

How has your working life changed during Covid-19?

I have recruited a new team member during lockdown, conducting interviews on Zoom, and now the team are training him via Skype video call. It’s going well so far, but seems strange that we have never seen his legs!

The social side of work has obviously changed, but the collaboration, fun and humour is still there. Different teams are putting together video updates so everyone can keep up to date on what’s happening in other areas of the business, and we are all sharing our good news stories. As a team we have two weekly social team calls, just to say hi and make sure we can pick up and support anyone who looks like they are dropping in spirit. Throughout the business, teams are sharing video updates and good news stories via our internal social media network which keeps everyone connected.

I am mostly enjoying seeing so much more of my daughter and husband – although I do crave an hour or two on my own some days!