Our longest standing employee Deirdre Granville recently celebrated her 20 year anniversary with the company.  We asked Deirdre to give us an insight to her time and career at Acumen & Trust.

 

 

Q. Tell me a little bit about you (where you are from, family, interests) and a summary or overview of your role in Acumen?

I’m the middle child of 3, originally from Rathfarnham, now living in Knocklyon. 

Anyone that knows me knows I like to travel.  My first trip on a plane was to New York, via Shannon (as that’s what was done back in the day) at the age of 8!

To pay for my travels, I have to work!  I had previously worked with Ciaran [Martin] in Scottish Provident and was looking for a change.  He told me about a company that I might be interested in, where I could park outside and not have to travel into town.  I was slow to get my CV together but I eventually did, and was asked to meet them.

All 4 of the directors interviewed me at the same time, so it was a long and at times stressful interview.  The company was 4 years old at that time and that day I met 4 people passionate about their business and their clients – something that has never changed.  They told me their vision and plans for the future, and asked me if I wanted to be part of it.  So I joined Acumen & Trust in September 2000 with the grand title of Pensions Administration Manager.  There was nobody else looking after the pensions admin, so I suppose I had to manage it!

Apart from the 4 directors, there were another 3 in the office on Merville Road in Stillorgan, and then me!

And the company grew and kept growing…..

 

Q. What have you felt good about accomplishing in your job and in your time here?

I’m proud to have played a part in the build-up and expansion of the company.  

During my years as a manager, I enjoyed mentoring staff and have created lifetime friendships along the way.

I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity and backup to complete examinations and training relevant to my role.

 

Q. What is the most meaningful part of your job? 

I enjoy the relationship I have with my clients (for the most part!).

I hope that I’m a person people can still go to/bounce things off, even out of the management role, and am happy to do that.