Why did you join the lang cat?

It's all cos of Steven Nelson, although he doesn't really remember. I did some work with him at a previous employer and I thought the lang cat sounded like a cool place to work and the rest is history!

What is your role at the lang cat?

Proposition development analyst.

If you could fix one thing in the financial services industry what would it be?

More financial education in schools and less jargon.

Who would be at your dream dinner party?

Billy Connolly, Michael Jordan, Sandra Bullock.

If you could only listen to one album forever more what would it be?

Tough one, either Kanye West - College Dropout, or D'Angelo - Brown Sugar.

Which cartoon character would you most like to swap places with for the day?

She-Ra.

Why did you join the lang cat?

Loved the brand and the content the lang cat produces

What is your role at the lang cat?

Analyse and research stuff and help with consulting projects

If you could fix one thing in the financial services industry what would it be?

The rogue advisers punting dodgy ‘investments’

Who would be at your dream dinner party?

Barack Obama, Dan Carter and Bill Gates. One of the most inspirational leaders of my time, one of the best rugby players to ever play the game and one of the people responsible for technology focussed world we now live in.

If you could only listen to one album forever more what would it be?

Fleetwood Mac – Rumours

Which cartoon character would you most like to swap places with for the day?

Batman. Obviously.

Why did you join the lang cat?

Already knowing a fair bit about the lang cat, I was sure I’d appreciate and value the culture and ethos, as well as the folk who work here.  Plus a flagon of ale and a tot of whisky may have been involved, making it all a nae brainer.

What is your role at the lang cat?

Commercial manager, which covers a wide array of mostly good clean fun.  This might concern the negotiation of commercial  terms, checking intricacies around our client and supplier relationships, or helping to find a safe path through anything that looks thorny.

If you could fix one thing in the financial services industry what would it be?

I personally miss the good old days of companies operating, and making decisions, on the basis of the local communities they’re working within.

Who would be at your dream dinner party? 

Being a bit keen on biking, I’d be fascinated to meet Graeme Obree and Mark Beaumont.  If family & friends could be there too then that would be a massive bonus….

If you could only listen to one album forever more what would it be?

Daft Punk, Random Access Memories.

Which cartoon character would you most like to swap places with for the day?

Asterix, largely because his rather funky helmet would cover my fulsome bald patch, and I’d love to give Getafix’s magic potion (aka superhuman strength) a whirl.

Why did you join the lang cat?

I’ve known Mark Polson for a long time and really like his way of taking complicated topics and making them understandable, interesting and (sometimes) funny. When he told me he was building up the PR team, I didn’t think twice about joining.

What is your role at the lang cat?

I work with financial services and financial technology companies to promote their products and services. There’s a lot of technical stuff in this industry and we help our clients communicate that complexity as clearly and simply as possible to make it more accessible for everyone.

If you could fix one thing in the financial services industry what would it be?

Ditch the jargon to make personal finance easier for people to understand.

Who would be at your dream dinner party?

You can’t beat dinner with close friends, but my celebrity invites would have to include Olivia Coleman as she’s amazing, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who wrote one of my favourite novels ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’, David Attenborough because I could listen to him all day long and Romesh Ranganathan as I can’t make his current tour dates.

If you could only listen to one album forever more what would it be?

We bought Sing Your Heart Out for the kids in 2016 and it feels like the only album I’ve listened to since then.

Which cartoon character would you most like to swap places with for the day?

As a child I always envied Mr Tickle’s arms – who wouldn’t want to lie in bed upstairs and get a biscuit from the kitchen cupboard downstairs? I still like that idea (obviously), but now I think living with those arms must be quite challenging at times. Mr Tickle never lets that hold him back though and instead uses his unique abilities to make people laugh. I think we can all learn something from that.

Why did you join the lang cat?

I didn’t really have much choice.

What is your role at the lang cat?

To try and get people to pay us on time.

If you could fix one thing in the financial services industry what would it be?

More people should pay us on time.

Who would be at your dream dinner party?

No-one famous. Friends will do nicely.

If you could only listen to one album forever more what would it be?

The Good Son by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Which cartoon character would you most like to swap places with for the day?

Top Cat

Why did you join the lang cat?

It seemed like a good place to be, if in need of more dog people to balance things out. We're quite the majority now.

What is your role at the lang cat?

Account director - it turns out you can turn obsessive list making into a career.

If you could fix one thing in the financial services industry what would it be?

Opening up financial advice to more people. There are so many people who would benefit from financial advice but either can't afford it or aren't viable for firms. We've got a lot of good people and a lot of good tech. Feels like there should be a way to at least cover the basics to help people make the most of what they have.

Who would be at your dream dinner party?

Dinner parties terrify me. I'll stick to a tea on the knee and a movie with my family.

If you could only listen to one album forever more what would it be?

I'm going to cheat and say either the complete Jane Austen or Harry Potter audio book collections.

Which cartoon character would you most like to swap places with for the day?

Wile E. Coyote: the ACME catalogue looks like fun.

Why did you join the lang cat?

Before June 2021 I hadn't actually heard of the lang cat. Having said he found the perfect job for me, I thought I should actually read something my husband sent me (a job spec for a role here) and I haven't looked back! I was instantly drawn to the tone of voice and how they take the complexity out of the industry.

What is your role at the lang cat?

Market Analyst - I look at the data we get from our surveys, provide insights, help with research and generally help the insight team with all the stuff they have going on.

If you could fix one thing in the financial services industry what would it be?

To educate younger generations about the importance of pensions and help them understand how much they actually need to save - I had/still have no clue!

Who would be at your dream dinner party?

All the people who make me happy and who I can have a laugh with - my friends, my husband, and my dog because she never leaves my side.

If you could only listen to one album forever more what would it be?

Can't I have Spotify premium forever instead?

Which cartoon character would you most like to swap places with for the day?

I know it is not a cartoon but I would love to go to Hogwarts and I would obviously be Hermione.

Why did you join the lang cat?

I joined the lang cat in 2013 having spent more than 20 years growing increasingly frustrated with marketing, communications and PR in life co world. I had been watching how the business was developing and the genuinely fresh approach to communicating complex things with authority and a bit of humour really attracted me. The lang cat culture felt new, vibrant and different. Mark Polson and I had a couple of meetings where we discussed how the lang cat might develop from grungy proposition consultancy to include Comms and PR services that would challenge some of the existing financial agency firms. We thought we might be on to something, so we took the plunge. Things have gone pretty well since then.

What is your role at the lang cat?

I head up the communications side of the lang cat. This includes accountability for our own in-house communications and PR and also acting as an outsourced communications, PR and marketing agency to assist lots of financial services firms effectively promote their products and services.

If you could fix one thing in the financial services industry what would it be?

I would wave my magic wand and force all financial firms to be honest and transparent. Trust is something that needs to be earned. You can only do that by acting in a trustworthy way. There are still way too many instances of financial firms trying to hide things from customers in the hope they won’t be found out. I would love firms to stop saying that customers are at the heart of their proposition and then communicating in a way that demonstrates they are clearly not.

Who would be at your dream dinner party?

At the head of the table would be my grandad who died when I was 10. I only have vague memories of him but I’ve been told so many cool things about his life and adventures. I’d love to hear his stories first hand. I’d have Tommy Cooper there for the jokes and magic tricks. And I’d have Stephen Fry and Oscar Wilde for a bit of high-brow chat.

If you could only listen to one album forever more what would it be?

Listening to only one album forever sounds like absolute hell.

Which cartoon character would you most like to swap places with for the day?

I’d like to be Top Cat for just one day. But I don’t think Polson will ever let me.

Why did you join the lang cat?

After crashing out of corporate life, it was either that or resume my modelling career.

What is your role at the lang cat?

It’s never been fully explained to me, but it appears everything’s my fault.

If you could fix one thing in the financial services industry what would it be?

Tighter control over scams and FSCS protection for those who get stung by the scammers

Who would be at your dream dinner party?

I have never dreamt of dinner parties.

If you could only listen to one album forever more what would it be?

The Heart of Saturday Night by Tom Waits

Which cartoon character would you most like to swap places with for the day?

Top Cat, obviously

Why did you join the lang cat?

Mark repeatedly begged me to join. It was all getting a bit embarrassing, so I eventually relented. Good decision though.

What is your role at the lang cat?

Consulting Director, which means I get a lot of variety. A typical week could see me working with advisers, providers, asset managers, investment bank, or private equity clients, as well as speaking at industry events and commentating in the press. The variety is the best part of this role. It keeps things interesting, and you always learn more when you seek out different perspectives.

If you could fix one thing in the financial services industry what would it be?

The good guys need to do more to collectively stand up against and drive out the scumbags who are giving poor advice and/or ripping clients off. The industry has improved greatly over recent years, but there are sadly a lot more bad apples than people like to admit. Either that, or grant the Isle of Wight offshore tax status.

Who would be at your dream dinner party?

My kids

If you could only listen to one album forever more what would it be?

Coldcut – 70 minutes of madness.

Which cartoon character would you most like to swap places with for the day?

Disco Stu

Why did you join the lang cat?

Liked the role, liked the people.

What is your role at the lang cat?

Content editor - I look after content for Platform Analyser, our due diligence software, plus content for the lang cat and within the communications team.

If you could fix one thing in the financial services industry what would it be?

Hearing from more women more often.

Who would be at your dream dinner party?

Kevin Bridges, Mishal Husain and Simon Reeve.

If you could only listen to one album forever more what would it be?

Probably Vulfpeck - Live at Madison Square Garden (the full gig is worth a watch).

Which cartoon character would you most like to swap places with for the day?

Belle in Beauty and the Best, for her epic library.

Why did you join the lang cat?

Principally because of its one-of-a-kind voice in the industry, a gravitational pull I couldn't resist. The icing on the doughnut was I was actually allowed in too. Can I have that doughnut now?

What is your role at the lang cat?

Job title: Marketing Communications Manager. Reality check: All manner of thinking and writing. With deadlines and things.

If you could fix one thing in the financial services industry what would it be?

I would encourage some type of pro bono activity from advisory businesses with the means to give free or low-cost advice to a number of those currently excluded owing to price.

Who would be at your dream dinner party?

Kurt Vonnegut and any dictator - I'd love to witness a warmongering brute being dismantled by a humanitarian using only wit and comedy timing.

If you could only listen to one album forever more what would it be?

Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. It may be the church music of the 23rd Century. If there is a 23rd Century.

Which cartoon character would you most like to swap places with for the day?

Jonny Quest. No one knows Jonny Quest. I was Jonny in my head, for more than a day.

Why did you join the lang cat?

I used to speak to Mark Locke and Mark Polson from time to time when I was a journalist and, although I never let on to them at the time, I knew the lang cat was somewhere I really wanted to work one day. As a journalist, I just felt they always had something punchy and relevant to say and that’s the type of thing I wanted to be part of if I ever went over to the ‘dark-side’.

What is your role at the lang cat?

I’m a PR Director for the Strategic Communications side of our business. We work clients from all kinds of areas of financial services and I get to speak to lots of the lovely journalists I used to know in my previous guise.

If you could fix one thing in the financial services industry what would it be?

Right now, it would be to scrap the Lifetime ISA. Someone close to me recently got caught out by the 25%(!) early exit charge because it was explained so badly (or not really explained at all) in the provider’s literature. They had a terrible customer experience and were made to feel it was their fault for not being smart enough to understand the product. For me, this sums up so much of what is wrong about financial services, where poor communication from the industry results in people being totally put off trying to make their money work harder.

Who would be at your dream dinner party?

Pavarotti, Julie Andrews, Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder and Hugh Jackman. I’d make them all sing for me!

If you could only listen to one album forever more what would it be?

Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder. I don’t think I listened to it until I was about 20 years old but the songs are so timeless, they felt instantly familiar.

Which cartoon character would you most like to swap places with for the day?

I’d be Ren from Ren and Stimpy. He’s definitely a bit weird but I can do a good facial impression of him.

Why did you join the lang cat?

I've always admired what the cats do, followed their stuff for years and seen the impact it has on the industry. I wanted to play a part in influencing how the industry moves forward for the benefit of customers.

What is your role at the lang cat?

I'm a senior analyst.

If you could fix one thing in the financial services industry what would it be?

I'd like everyone to understand how their investments can work for them. Most people are investors through workplace pension schemes, particularly through auto-enrolment, but few understand how they work.

Who would be at your dream dinner party?

Stephen Hawking, Stephen Fry, Victoria Cohen-Mitchell and Marcia Richards (from UK band The Skints).

If you could only listen to one album forever more what would it be?

... And the Battle Begun by RX Bandits.

Which cartoon character would you most like to swap places with for the day?

Marvin the Martian. For the excellent voice and ray gun.

Why did you join the lang cat?

Because, c.2012, the temptation of exchanging corporate life for a gruesome serviced office with Mark P and a dying pot plant was too much to resist. Also, he’s never made me work full time …

What is your role at the lang cat?

I mainly look after the operational side of the business and help to make sure we keep on top of our workload and deliver things on time and to the quality people expect of us.

If you could fix one thing in the financial services industry what would it be?

End the iron grip of the technocrats over client communication sign-off. There are specialist communications professionals out there who have excellent technical knowledge as well as the skills to engage with clients in a language and style they’ll actually get. Recognise them and let them do their job! That includes not telling them, ever again, that they can’t start a sentence with and, so or but.

Who would be at your dream dinner party?

My husband and my dogs. I’m a bit anti-social that way.

If you could only listen to one album forever more what would it be?

Don’t know. I’m not a muso either … although being at the lang cat has been good for my musical education.

Which cartoon character would you most like to swap places with for the day?

Muttley. The older I get, the more Wacky Races seems to sum up life. Plus, I’m sure I could stop the pigeon.

Why did you join the lang cat?

I’d wanted to be a part of what the lang cat were doing for ages – I felt like I was missing out!

What is your role at the lang cat?

PR Director

If you could fix one thing in the financial services industry what would it be?

Its perception – it’s time, isn’t it? Some things need to improve but there’s an enormous amount right about it too.

Who would be at your dream dinner party?

They wouldn’t want me there but George Carlin, Robin Williams, Eddie Izzard, Jordan Peele, Larry David…

If you could only listen to one album forever more what would it be?

Pet Sounds.

Which cartoon character would you most like to swap places with for the day?

These are too easy – Mr Burns.

Why did you join the lang cat?

I joined the lang cat when Lockey got in touch to say they were looking for a PA for Mark P. I’d taken VR from Aegon a month before and I was keen that my next job wouldn’t be in another large organisation. When I met up with Mark I really like the sound of the lang cat and what they were doing within the industry, so I kind of thought I’d like to become a lang cat if they’d have me. Lucky for me, my beauty and wit won them over and here I am.

What is your role at the lang cat?

PA to Mark, office manager and chief nagger about keeping the kitchen tidy.

If you could fix one thing in the financial services industry what would it be?

Make things much simpler to understand cos everything seems to be awfy complicated.

Who would be at your dream dinner party?

Calvin Harris, Morgan Freeman and Billy Connolly

If you could only listen to one album forever more what would it be?

It would have to be one of the Now compilation albums because I don’t like listening to a whole album by the same artist – easily bored/fickle. I’m deeply uncool as well, I know.

Which cartoon character would you most like to swap places with for the day?

Jessie from Toy Story because I sort of fancy Woody.

Why did you join the lang cat?

Taking a risk and joining a start-up (It was just Mark, Sam and I when I started) isn’t the kind of life choice I’d normally make. I had a decent job at a good company but I was at a very particular point in my life where I had a proper ‘now or never’ moment and I wanted to change. Plus, I’d known Mark a bit from a few years back and wanted to work with him.

What is your role at the lang cat?

Official job title is consulting director but I get involved in all sorts. Helping steer the company, produce our insight products, get out and about trying to sell stuff and get up to my eyes in client work.

If you could fix one thing in the financial services industry what would it be?

I’d make regulation clearer and more prescriptive. There’s a shocking amount of wasted time and energy in the sector figuring out and conforming to regulatory changes.

Who would be at your dream dinner party?

My late Uncle and Gran. Billy Connolly. Stewart Lee. Jo Whiley. Louis Theroux. Andy Murray. Phil Young.

If you could only listen to one album forever more what would it be?

I think research has shown that this is actually an effective form of torture, shame on you for asking. But if I had to pick it would be The Optimist LP by Turin Brakes.

Which cartoon character would you most like to swap places with for the day?

No-one. That sounds horrendous.

Why did you join the lang cat?

True story this. On the day a contract had arrived for something else, I got a random phone call from the lang cat (well I might have planted a seed at some point). I instantly knew I’d do this, I’d worked with the lang cat client side and was a fan of its output, so it seemed legit.

What is your role at the lang cat?

Devising and running great insight products that are driven by primary research and the data that comes from it.

If you could fix one thing in the financial services industry what would it be?

I’d make it so that more people from working class backgrounds could first get into financial services then break through the glass ceiling.

Who would be at your dream dinner party?

If I’m honest it would be all my lost loved ones. I’d give anything to have one more chance to put the world to rights with my dad over a good bevvy.

If you could only listen to one album forever more what would it be?

Back Home Again by John Denver has served me well so far, well since I was about three. It does however belong to the ‘1000 albums I would never put on the lang cat Sonos’ in addition to any reggae and 92% of folky stuff I listen to at home.

Which cartoon character would you most like to swap places with for the day?

Mike Barrett.

Why did you join the lang cat?

It was like the last two drunks on the dancefloor at a party; we just knew we were destined to be together. Luckily neither of us has sobered up yet.

What is your role at the lang cat?

The tall one who keeps going on about pensions and politics.

If you could fix one thing in the financial services industry what would it be?

A bit less of the short-termist sticking plaster policy making would be nice.

Who would be at your dream dinner party?

I have children. I don't get to go to dinner parties.

If you could only listen to one album forever more what would it be?

Spotify.

Which cartoon character would you most like to swap places with for the day?

Rick Sanchez.