I'm happiest when I'm with my family and friends in the sun: a work-life balance interview with Shradha Patel

"My main priorities right now are keeping my family safe and sane at this very odd time!"

8 September 2020

What has surprised you most about lockdown?

How much I miss social interaction with my colleagues! I'm looking forward to being back in the office with everyone, hopefully at some point soon.

What have you learned about yourself in this time?

That I need to take a day at a time.

What are your three top tips for maintaining a healthy work life balance?

Keeping a routine, eating good food and enjoying the little things.

What was your last google search?

School uniforms! It's that time of year...

What, from this time, would like to keep in the new normal?

My daily workouts. I've really been enjoying having more time to work out and look after myself in that way. 

Tell us a joke or the last time I belly-laughed was:

Every day is laugh out loud moment with my kids, as they always say funny things (unintentionally mostly!)

Night owl or Early Bird?

I'm definitely an early bird. I usually wake up at around 4.15am!

What are you currently binge-watching/listening/reading?

I’ve only just discovered Line of Duty, and I am hooked!

How did you get into insurance?

By mistake, but in a good way! I used to work for a political comms agency, and then ended up working for the ABI doing a similar job. That then led me to RSA…

What’s your Karaoke song?

Eeek, I'm way too self-conscious to sing in public but if I had to, anything by Beyoncé or Britney. Please don't judge!

What is your main priority at the moment?

My main priority right now is keeping my family safe and sane at this very odd time. It's been tough for everyone and we're still not sure when or if things will go back to normal.

What's been the highlight of your career to date?

Getting my last two roles. I'm really proud of my career and how far I've come. 

What is your best travel memory?

Spending the American Independence day on Waikiki beach in Hawaii and the White party on a beach in Greece with my husband and kids.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?

This is definitely an 'I wish' kind of question, but if I could pick anyone it would be Jessica Alba!

What did not expect about working in the insurance industry?

How interesting the work is and the people! I think a lot of people assume that the insurance industry is a bit dry and boring. If anyone was thinking about a career in insurance I'd say do it because it's far more interesting than it sounds.

I’m at my happiest when…

I’m with my family and friends in the sun!

Do you think Love Island is TV gold or TV Fail and why?

TV Gold for sure!! How can you not love the ‘salmon’?

What change would you like to see in the insurance industry or RSA in the next 3 years?

More diversity in terms of BAME at senior levels. I'm chair of the REACH Employee Research Group so it's something I'm really passionate about working on changing.

How is insurance making the world a better place?

By understanding the disruptive world we live in and adapting products to meet that disruption.