Kirsty Swan is Senior Manager for the Midlands offices, and has been part of the team for nearly thirteen years.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I have been Birmingham based for most of my life, except for a few years as a child when my Glaswegian parents moved us back to Scotland. I recently got married to my husband Steve, near Windermere in the Lake District which was a wonderful day. I love cinema, all things dog related, history, spending time with friends and family, and anything which makes me laugh!
Tell us about your career with Leonard Curtis
I took the job straight from university on a letes see what happens basis, as I didnt know much about insolvency beforehand. I thought perhaps Ill do this for a year or two until I decide on my career.
On my first day as a junior administrator in 2009, Alan Clifton (IP in Birmingham at the time) said his is your desk, this is your diary, this is your in-tray, off you go!
I quickly realised insolvency could be quite exciting and wanted to see where it took me. I embarked on my CPI exams in 2011, and started progressing in my role towards senior administrator, when I then split my JIEB papers across 2013 and 2014. Since then, I have progressed to senior manager, where Im responsible for a case load but I am also responsible for overseeing the team in Birmingham and everything that comes with it.
Whates the first thing you do at the start of your working day?
Cup of tea, check for anything urgent which might have come in overnight, and then answering the more urgent emails. I then check if I need to restructure what I thought I would be doing for the day.
How do you plan out your day? A good old fashioned to do list, or more go with the flow?
It depends on the day. If I know it will be quite intense, there will be a to do list. On a normal day though, the nature of managing means that lots of different things can crop up throughout the day which require attention, so I utilise my Outlook calendar for the key things but leave room for all of the unexpected.
Whates your desk and workspace like?
Relatively tidy, with a few post it notes and personal touches scattered about as well as souvenir pens, and a lot of Paperchase stationery. As we have a smart new office, the only thing I have pinned up at the moment is an origami squirrel made for me by Paul Masters (one of our now retired Directors) a few years ago. In the old office, there were also a few pictures of my dog!
Whates the best thing about your job?
Ive always enjoyed the dynamic in the office, we have a friendly environment where everyone at all levels is approachable. We can have a really rewarding day on an interesting and challenging case, and nobody takes themselves too seriously. I like that though we sometimes work long hours if we need to, ites always for the right reason to get the job done well and we have a good work / life balance which is so important.
Tell us about your approach with clients
I try to remain professional, but friendly and approachable, and make it clear that we are here to assist during what is a stressful time for the people involved. I think an element of hand holding where ites needed can make the world of difference in getting the job done, so would never make a client feel like they are inconveniencing me by calling me to ask any question.
What do you do to escape the world of insolvency?
I love to get out and about exploring, anywhere with some beautiful views, some historical interest and perhaps a pub lunch at the end of it. My husband and I are currently planning our honeymoon which will be a road trip from Las Vegas and down the West Coast of the US in a couple of months time, which will be the ultimate in escapism!
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