In our latest Smart behind Novidea feature we get a wonderful insight into Lesley Townsends world.
Lesley is a Business Analyst at Novidea, whose customer-focused approach to software delivery is born from her love of hospitality and customer service.
Meet Lesley
1. What has been your favourite part of working remotely during the pandemic?
Absolutely being able to see my family more every day. Pre-pandemic days were a mad rush to get out of the door by 6.30am for the train, returning at 7.30pm in the evening. This has provided a welcome opportunity for more quality family time!
2. Whats the coolest thing about your job?
I love being part of Novidea during this dynamic stage of its journey. My role gives me an invaluable opportunity to blend my insurance broking with my IT experience to contribute to what is an invaluable solution for the insurance market. Leading the charge in helping businesses to be more efficient and successful through a fully integrated, end-to-end management system how can you not get excited about that?
3. What would be your dream job, apart from working for Novidea?
I would be an estate agent for High Net Worth property. I love all things property, particularly historic buildings. My guilty pleasure is watching the Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles and New York programmes and truly believe I could join one of the teams on there. I also love Escape to the Chateau and so a job selling Chateaux in France would be cool.
4. What are your hobbies?
I love anything to do with interior design and so Im always experimenting in the house. As a result, much to my familys bemusement, nothing stays in the same place for very long. I am constantly upcycling furniture and can often be found trawling Facebook Marketplace for that next project. I love organising parties, dinners, and holidays for my family and friends (my current project is our belated housewarming festival taking place over a weekend). Finally, I get enormous pleasure from wrapping and giving presents my children tell me I should have been one of Santas elves.
5. Whats the best place youve ever travelled to?
For relaxation, it has to be Anna Maria Island in Florida. We travelled there for a family holiday a few years ago and Ive been yearning to return ever since. It has such a chilled, laid back Old Florida lifestyle with no high-rise buildings and a beach only a few steps away from wherever you are, and with wonderful restaurants and quirky shopping. Heaven! For a city break it is Venice all the way; my husband and I have been numerous times now and Im always in awe of its crumbling beauty.
6. Whats your favourite book or movie?
I love A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. Its all about the life of a woman living under Taliban rule a really heart breaking, but captivating read. As for a movie, it has to be The Greatest Showman. Its such an uplifting, wonderful, feel-good film, with great music.
7. Whats one thing few people would know about you?
My university degree was in Hotel Management nothing to do with insurance or IT! It has shaped me into being a very customer-centric person, as it is all about making sure the customer is happy. My favourite area of hospitality is event management. I love the planning, organising, and delivering an event, so not too different to software delivery, I guess.
8. What are the top 5 gadgets you cant live without?
Im not a massive gadget person, however I cant live without my iPhone for keeping in touch with the kids and keeping tabs on them, my iPad for property searches and upcycling projects, and Alexa who Im sure listens in when shes not supposed to.
We hope you enjoyed learning a little bit more about the people who drive the smart behind Novidea! Stay tuned for our next feature.