Meet our Member Engagement Administrator-Kerry

Each month we’ll be chatting with a member of Smart Money Cymru, to find out what their role is in the business.  For our first Q&A we’re speaking with Kerry Jenkins, who is SMC’s longest serving member of staff.  Kerry has held a number of different positions within the business since starting with SMC in 2010, December 1^st, to be precise.

Hi Kerry, thanks for taking the time to speak with me. 

What is your role at Smart Money Cymru?

Member Engagement Administrator.  I support the Development Team in south and mid Wales.  I’m based in the Tredegar branch, but my role involves travelling to different SMC offices and Community Business Hubs; Cana in Penywaun, Blackwood branch, Caerphilly, our branch in Brecon and the Community Banking Hubs in Ebbw Vale Institute, Gelligaer and Abertillery.

I provide support for the Smart Pennies Savers at St Gwladys school and looking forward to launching two new School Banking Hubs in Blaenau Gwent, in the near future.

You must have seen a lot of changes at Smart Money Cymru over the past 14 years?

I started with SMC in 2010 at the Windsor Street, Caerphilly office.  I came to the role as part of my involvement in volunteering with SMC starting with a part-time role which was a job share.  I’ve worked as part of the Credit Control, Customer Services, Finance teams and now as Member Engagement Administrator with the Development Team.

Smart Money Cymru is a much bigger business now, compared to 2010.  We’ve seen a lot of new members join and the way we engage with members, particularly with the growth of our online services, has grown considerably.  Our face to face engagement is still really important to us, people like to discuss their accounts with us in person and like the personal touch that we offer.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Working with members and providing them with information regarding their account; balances, deposits, opening new accounts.  I work with members in helping them with their enquiries, which I’ve always enjoyed.  I can be working with colleagues in the Development Team, supporting them at events etc.  It’s a varied role, which I enjoy and no two days are exactly the same.

OK, so what about when you’re not at work?

I like reading and spending time with my eight-year old granddaughter, Alice.  We like walking and time in the outdoors, even when the weather isn’t exactly what could be considered ‘outdoors weather’.

At the beginning of every year, I go on holidays somewhere sunny to recharge my batteries.

How do you see plans for the future in your career?

I’ve not decided on any firm plans at the moment, perhaps learning and development – a qualification that’s relevant for the business and me as a person.

Give me a lesser-known fact about you Kerry…

When my daughter went into labour, by the time the paramedics had arrived, I had delivered my granddaughter Alice.

What’s the best bit of advice you’ve been given?

Don’t take everything to heart!