Heroes Work Here: Lauren Harzo

In your own words, tell us a little bit about yourself

I was born in Jersey, and island life certainly suits me.  Being able to go for a run along the beach and jump in the sea before work in the morning satisfies my energetic nature and love for being outdoors. In the 9 years I have worked for ZEDRA (and Barclays) I have not only received support for my career progression but have also been given the opportunity to organise social events, wellbeing weeks and women’s initiatives. The Wellbeing Week organised in 2019 saw me shortlisted for the Jersey Finance Rising Star Awards in the CSR category.

What inspires you?

Witnessing relentless determination. Watching someone succeed in the face of adversity.

What piece of advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

Don’t focus your energy on making everyone else proud. Being proud of yourself is more fulfilling.

Can you tell us a bit about what you do in your spare time? Do you have any passions or hobbies?

I love to dance, box, run, walk and be in the sea! Lockdown has also reignited my love for ballet.  When I want to slow down, I like to read (non-fiction), and sit around a table with my friends and family enjoying good food and red wine.

If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive) who would it be, and why?

Meryl Streep. I think she is a brilliant and diverse actor, and I am interested to hear how she navigated such a successful career in an industry where discrimination against women is such a widely recognised issue. The night would also include us dancing and singing musicals – it’s the performing arts background in me!

What single achievement are you most proud of?

Taking part in the Jersey White Collar Boxing in 2019. I completed a 10-week training camp and stepped into the ring for 3 bouts, and to top it off I won my fight! At the end of a grueling training camp, what I was most proud of was my resilience even after some fierce sparring sessions.

What is the last thing you think about at the end of the day?

My plan for the next day.  The most successful people have a strong morning routine which saves “decision fatigue” the next morning. I get so much joy out of my morning routine which always includes a workout (or at least a long walk) and taking time to cook myself a delicious breakfast (my favorite meal of the day)!

Do you travel for work? If so, where do you go?

I travel mostly to London and have also travelled to Ireland for work. When restrictions begin to lift, I look forward to travelling to the Middle East. What I most enjoy about meeting my clients is seeing how families interact and understanding their relationships.

How do you think the industry will change in the next 5 years?

How businesses exchange information and communicate with their clients. Technology continues to offer us more and more ways to communicate, and how businesses choose to develop and embrace these possibilities will make a considerable difference to the client experience.

What are the responsibilities of your job?

I am an Assistant Manager on the Middle East team, where I have a client base which is predominantly Egyptian. Within these structures I deal with large property portfolios which I have always enjoyed and gained a lot of experience within every team I have worked throughout my career.

What jobs and experiences have led you to your present position?

I first worked for what was Barclays when I was 16, working in each of my school holidays while I was doing my A levels. It gave me a great foundation for when I began full time on an administration team at 19. I have grown through the business, with just two and a half years at another service provider experiencing corporate. My time away from ZEDRA was invaluable to my growth, but importantly confirmed the path I wanted to take in the industry.

What makes ZEDRA unique in the industry? What does ZEDRA offer clients that our competitors don’t?

The people. There is something about the relationships people build at ZEDRA, and this has been the case since I joined Barclays Private Bank & Trust in 2009. Our clients gain from these relationships as there’s a trust that builds a culture of succeeding together.

For more information, please contact Lauren Harzo.