Lisa Bardell - Business Partnership Manager at Options UK
Here she shares her time at Options and her hobbies.
What do you think separates Options from your competitors?
We’re genuinely customer-focused, so we invest more time in maintaining relationships with clients, and increasing awareness of our products and services to attract new business. In my role, which requires specialist expertise in commercial property SIPPs and SSAS, it means working closely with accountants and IFAs, plus privately-owned businesses (covering a wide range from dentists to industrial firms) that own the property or properties they trade from. We’re always looking to stay ahead of the curve by identifying new market trends as soon as they emerge. One example in my specialist area right now is the shift towards hybrid working in many sectors which has created opportunities to convert offices to hotels using a SIPP or SSAS.
Tell us about your career backstory.
I joined Options in 2014, became Property Team Leader 2015, Services and Operations Manager in 2017, and was promoted again in 2020 to my current post. My career has been focused on leadership roles in financial services industry, and property sector. One of the many rewarding aspects of working at Options is that it allows me to use my full skillset – which includes budgeting, business planning, plus sales and retail and experience – to deliver excellent customer outcomes. Before joining Options I was a Property Manager at a major sports bar operator for eight years.
What do you enjoy most about working at Options?
The colleagues and clients I work with. I feel fortunate to be part of a fantastic team. Together, we have a comprehensive knowledge base which is a fantastic resource that provides significant advantages for clients when we’re assisting them in administering their retirement plans.
Finally, tell us about how you spend your free time.
I enjoy spending quality time with family, which includes my dog Willow. Exercise and healthy living is important to me, and I’m trying harder to stay fit as I get older! I swim, play badminton and (even though it’s not my favourite activity) go to a regular boot camp J. As a spectator I enjoy grassroots and league football (New Bradwell St Peter FC in Milton Keynes, and MK Dons); rugby union (Premiership and Six Nations); and have recently discovered a love for cricket after watching matches at New Bradwell Cricket Club. I’m also a volunteer at the New Bradwell Sports Association Club. During the pandemic I joined the Royal Voluntary Service as an NHS Volunteer Responder delivering shopping/medication to those in need, and later on I volunteered to help at local vaccination centres.
Get in touch with Lisa on LinkedIn