Penny speed meets... Allison Hughes, development manager, commercial e-trading, Groupama Insurances

What was your first ever job — and were you any good at it?
I worked in Dolcis shoe shop. I hated it but my sales figures were great. I’ve no idea how

If an MP3 player really could only hold three tunes, what would you select for the ultimate soundtrack to your life?
Bridge over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel; A Night to Remember by Shalamar; and Insomnia by Faithless

Who was your top teenage pin-up?
John Taylor from Duran Duran. And age hasn’t diminished his boyish good looks

My colleagues won’t know this about me but...
My career could have taken a very different path – my music teacher thought my destiny was to be a successful musician in an orchestra

Favourite book of all time?
1984 by George Orwell

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t hit anything. Wise advice given by my father when I was learning to drive but it’s a pretty good guiding principle

What would be your chosen superpower?
To fly. I have dreams about flying, which probably means something profound. Or not...

If you could be Prime Minister for the day, what change would you instigate and why? I would prioritise greater investment in the care and treatment of the elderly in hospital and during their transition back to life in the community. There are some dreadful indignities suffered by people who deserve much greater compassion and support

My top tip for climbing the insurance career ladder is...
Stop trying to climb the career ladder. Concentrate on doing a great job where you are

What’s the most annoying thing people do in your office?
Fail to recognise my genius

My last supper would comprise...
Crispy duck pancakes and a bottle of red Sancerre

Who has been the most influential person in your life?
My best friend. She has influenced me positively in terms of her great advice and negatively in respect of our consumption of Pinot Grigio

When I’m not working I like to...
Read, watch movies, go for long walks, cook things with ridiculously long lists of ingredients and eat out when it doesn’t work

Name your five ideal dinner party guests (dead or alive) noting what they bring to the party
Stephen Fry for wit and humour; Eddie Izzard for very obscure wit and humour; Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa) to cook and dish out gossip from the White House; Elvis for a singalong; and Daniel Craig – obviously for the conversation and his knowledge of the movie industry (ahem) 

Marmite: food of the gods or work of the devil?
Work of the devil

Career high point to date?
How can I choose? I love my job so there have been quite a few high points, and my new role looks set to bring even more opportunities. As cheesy as it sounds, I feel the best is yet to come

If you could travel back in time, where would you go?
To Hever Castle at the time of the Tudors

Finish this sentence: Insurance is a great industry to work in because...
It offers the opportunity to explore a wide variety of rewarding careers and experiences under one roof

Would you like to be probed by Penny on one of her speed meets? Get in touch via stephanie.denton@incisivemedia.com