JUMP TO CONTENT

From fashion to finance: Gemma's journey of career growth and personal development

Posting date: 27 Jun 2024
Photo of Gemma, in the woods, holding her pet dog and smiling while taking a selfie.

At Legal and General, we see the potential in you. If you do not have a strong background in financial services and have worked as an Analyst in other industries, for example, those skills are transferable. This blog is about just that, it’s Gemma’s story of switching careers from fashion to finance and her growth journey and we are happy to have created an environment for making a change. Over the years she has developed her career with us and is now an Operational Readiness Consultant. We hope you find inspiration in her success story.

Did you ever think you would go from fashion to finance?

I never thought that, after completing a degree in fashion design, I would end up finding a job I love in financial services. Yet, here I am, building a fulfilling career at Legal & General, a company that saw my potential and provided the supportive environment I needed to flourish. 

My journey from feeling lost in the wrong profession to finding my place at Legal & General is a testament to the power of self-improvement and the impact of an inclusive employer.

How did you find your career path at Legal & General?

After four years of university and seven years in the fashion industry, I found myself at a crossroads. Being in the fashion industry just wasn't what I wanted to do anymore. A friend who worked at Legal & General suggested I apply for a position in the Defined Contribution Pension Helpline.

Joining here was meant to be a stopgap, as I was in the middle of a career crisis, and I didn’t know where I fit in this world. But it quickly became apparent that this was where I was meant to be. From the very beginning, the company's objective-driven environment resonated with me. Which for me personally meant I knew what to do to be a high achiever.

I thrive in settings where clear goals and pathways for achievement are laid out, and Legal & General provides just that. The supportive culture here encouraged my growth right from the start. I then progressed in the Helpline to a more senior role where I absorbed more knowledge and experience which I eventually used to create AME, our knowledge base for DC Pensions.

What is your current role and are there career growth opportunities within it?

Today, I am an Operational Readiness Consultant at Legal & General. This role allows me to utilise my creativity and the extensive knowledge I’ve gained over the years. I've felt like Legal & General has made me who I am, helping me to achieve personal and professional growth and feel so accomplished.

Currently, I am working on the Sequoia programme, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at transforming some of our most critical customer processes and technologies. This programme promises to enhance our customer experience, and I am thrilled to be a part of it.

I am working on developing a new system for the member helpline. This project involves consolidating 35 systems into one easy-to-use interface, streamlining our processes, and improving service delivery. Having started on the helpline myself, I understand the challenges my colleagues face, and it’s incredibly fulfilling to now be in a position to help them.

Did you have personal growth as well as career development in your journey?

Initially starting a job on the helpline was an unusual choice for someone like me, who has struggled with anxiety for most of my life. However, the support from my team, my amazing manager, and Legal & General’s wellbeing programme helped me grow. This experience enabled me to become more comfortable in difficult situations and more at ease with being myself.

One of the most surprising aspects of working here is how much the company values each employee’s contributions. This inclusive and caring culture has made me feel valued and appreciated, which has played a big part in my personal and professional growth.

What are your career highlights and achievements?

One of my career highlights at Legal & General was creating AME, our knowledge base for DC Pensions. This initiative allowed me to use the knowledge and experience I had gained to create a resource that helps our team resolve customer queries quickly and efficiently. The system has been highlighted in external reviews as one of the most innovative and effective tools used internally by a company.

 I was involved in shaping the project from the ground up. For instance, I helped secure funding and design the pages for a new product, created the content, and saw first-hand how it improved support for our operational teams. These experiences have been incredibly rewarding and have fueled my passion for making improvements that enhance the customer experience.

What are your thoughts on your journey in Financial Services?

If I could give one piece of advice to my younger self it would just be to take time to enjoy things more. I am always going a million miles per hour and sometimes I don’t even stop to realise just how much I have achieved in the process. This is why I quite enjoy the annual review process here at Legal & General because it enables me to take time out to reflect on what I have done well and what challenges I want to take on in the next year.

Join us today for a future with Legal & General

For those driven by self-improvement, we offer abundant career growth opportunities and support. We actively invest in our employees’ skills through individual learning and our academy. 

We offer a place for continuous personal and professional growth. If you’re looking for a place to grow, develop, and make a meaningful impact, consider joining our Customer Service team. See below our current job opportunities.

List #1

Our latest roles

View all
List #1

Related posts

image of two colleagues sitting on sofa and talking
Adaptable leadership: Why flexibility is the future of leadership styles

Teaser

Executive Leadership

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/25/2025

Summary

The traditional top-down leadership model is becoming increasingly obsolete. In today’s complex, fast-paced world, the most effective leaders are collaborative, emotionally intelligent, and, most i

Teaser

At Legal & General, we’re moving towards a more agile leadership model, one where open communication, feedback, and flexibility drive better outcomes.

Read more

by

Enrique Rodriguez

by

Enrique Rodriguez

image of actuary smiling around a meeting table with other team members
The new actuarial skill set: What L&G’s Senior Actuaries need to thrive in a data-driven world

Teaser

Finance & Actuary

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/24/2025

Summary

In an era where data drives decision-making across every industry, the role of the actuary is evolving at an unprecedented pace. At Legal & General, we recognise that the traditional actuarial

Teaser

Explore the key skills that are shaping the future of actuarial roles at L&G and how our professionals are adapting to the data-driven world.

Read more

by

Enrique Rodriguez

by

Enrique Rodriguez

image of IT professionals surrounding a computer and smiling
Adapting to digital transformation: Key trends every IT professional should know

Teaser

Technology, Digital & Data

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/24/2025

Summary

Digital transformation is no longer a future ambition; it’s a present-day imperative. As organisations accelerate their adoption of emerging technologies, the role of IT professionals has

Teaser

Learn about the most critical developments in digital transformation and why they matter for technology professionals looking to grow their impact and their careers at L&G.

Read more

by

Enrique Rodriguez

by

Enrique Rodriguez

View all

Job search

What we do?

There’s so much more to us than meets the eye. We’re insurers, investors, builders, city-regenerators and green technology champions.

And whatever the future holds, our people’s knowledge, skill and passion will mean we’re placed to make a real difference to society.

Click here to join us
Search for jobs