Penny speed meets...

Being an insatiable socialite, Penny Black is always eager to probe the personalities behind the professional veneer of her 
industry friends. What better way to squeeze in and share as many intimate revelations as possible than her very own ‘speed meeting’ column. This week, it’s the turn of Aviva’s 
Jodi Grattidge

What was your first ever job — and were you any good at it?
A chambermaid in my school holidays. No — I never did like cleaning

If an MP3 player really could only hold three tunes, what would you select for the ultimate soundtrack to your life?
Drinking Again — Aretha Franklin; Dancing Queen — Abba; Holiday — Madonna

Who was your top teenage pin-up?
George Michael/Wham (you just didn’t see it back then)

My colleagues won’t know this about me but....
You could find me dancing on the stage at the last ever Hit Man and Her in Manchester (I was only 18)

Favourite book of all time?
The Precious Present — Spencer Johnson

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Always look on the bright side of life

What would be your chosen superpower?
To fly

If you could be Prime Minister for the day, what change would you instigate and why?
Bring back National Service to instil a bit of discipline, focus and respect

How would a typical school report about you read?
Jodi talks too much

My top tip for climbing the insurance career ladder is...
Do what you say you are going to do, and do it well

What’s the most annoying thing people do in your office? Buy cakes too often. No good for the diet

My last supper would comprise...
Beef, roast potatoes, parsnips, veg and gravy. I love a good roast dinner

Who has been the most influential person in your life to date?
My Mum

When I’m not working I like to...
Shop, garden, do pilates, entertain family and friends, travel

Last film you saw?
Casino Royale — for about the 5th time — but I do like the bit when they first meet on the train

If I wasn’t working in insurance I would probably be...
Working in fashion, but I would love to be a pop star (unfortunately I can’t sing)

Name your five ideal dinner party guests — dead or alive...
Elvis — to sing to us; Derren Brown — to play with our minds; Alan Sugar — to insult us; Barack Obama — to inspire us; Peter Kay — to make us laugh

Marmite: foods of the gods or work of the devil?
It’s the work of the devil

Career high point to date?
When I was promoted to ‘head of’ level — I was 32 and responsible for some of our largest 



broker relationships, then given our national broker trading teams — 230 people over eight locations

What do you say when strangers at a social gathering ask what you do for a living? (Be honest now)
I say I work for 
Aviva in insurance, which usually leads on to a conversation about Paul Whitehouse!

If you could travel back in time, where would you go?
The 1980s — I made some major fashion mistakes

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