A Day in the Life of – Larissa Harvey

I’m the Technical Manager at NatWest Intermediaries, responsible for risk oversight and coaching and developing leaders to help them get the best from their teams. I also lead a fantastic team that supports brokers, delivers change and drives continuous improvement, helping create quicker, simpler experiences that give brokers greater certainty and confidence when doing business with us.

Everything starts with understanding what’s important to our brokers. We use feedback, insight and data to identify opportunities, remove barriers and enhance the experience we provide, helping drive growth, improve efficiency and deliver better outcomes for brokers and their customers.

What does your morning routine look like?

Like most parents, my day starts before work does. I have an 11-year-old daughter and a 21-year-old son, so mornings usually involve getting my daughter organised for school, catching up with my son and making sure everyone knows what they’re doing that day.

Fitness is a big part of my routine too. I like to get to the gym whenever I can and, if the day gets away from me, I’ll happily be there at 10pm getting a session in.

Once I’m logged on, it’s coffee first, then emails, business updates and checking whether there are any risks or priorities that need my attention.

What does a typical afternoon look like?

No two afternoons are the same, which is exactly how I like it. I could be coaching a leader, working through priorities, reviewing risk themes or helping the team move something forward.

A big part of my role is joining the dots, understanding what’s happening across the business, looking ahead and making sure we’re focusing on the right things to deliver the best outcomes for brokers, customers and colleagues.

What do you find to be your most productive time of the day?

Definitely mid-morning. Once I’ve got a clear view of priorities and a coffee in hand, that’s when I’m at my best. I’m naturally curious and fast-paced, so I enjoy getting stuck into solving problems and working through ideas.

How do you manage your time to ensure you have a good work / life / home balance?

I’m a big believer that life shouldn’t just be about work. My social life is incredibly important to me, and making time for the things I enjoy. I play netball, love weight training in the gym and enjoy spending time with friends.

I’m also partial to a rave or two. I always say I don’t need to do cardio because I get enough of that on the dance floor! For me, balance is about working hard, having fun and making time for the people who matter most.

What is your favourite part of your working day in your role?

Without a doubt, it’s the people. I love seeing someone grow in confidence, step into a bigger role or achieve something they didn’t think they could.

I also believe work should be enjoyable. We spend too much of our lives working not to have a laugh along the way.

What does a typical dinner time look like in your household?

The daily battle in our house is usually me explaining why we don’t need a takeaway again!

If I’m being honest, we don’t do the picture-perfect family dinner. My daughter is usually watching her iPad, my son rarely appears from his room when he’s home, and I’m often happy putting my feet up and catching up on a good series after a busy day.

It probably sounds a bit chaotic, but it works for us!

What do you do to unwind?

Spending time with family and friends is my favourite way to switch off. You’ll usually find me in the gym, at netball, listening to music or planning my next night out with friends. Having things outside work that help me recharge is really important.

If you could give one piece of career advice what would it be?

Go for it!

There’s never a perfect time or a perfect situation to make your next career move. I grew up in a low-income, single-parent household with my three brothers, left home at 16, didn’t go to university and became a mum at 19. My route into senior leadership definitely wasn’t traditional.

What I’ve learnt is that what you don’t know, you can learn. Skills can be developed, confidence grows over time and sometimes the hardest part is simply putting yourself forward. Don’t rule yourself out. Back yourself and take the opportunity.

How important has your support network been in helping you through your role?

Mentors, allies and role models have played a huge part in my career. Often people will see your potential before you see it yourself, and having someone who encourages you to take that next step can make all the difference.

As a mixed-race woman with a Jamaican dad, a white English mum, a strong Black Country accent, ADHD and standing at 5ft 11, I’ve never really fitted the traditional mould, and I certainly wouldn’t blend into a crowd! Thankfully, I’ve learnt that’s a strength, not a weakness.

My ADHD means I’m naturally curious, think differently and often spot risks or opportunities others might miss. It’s also why inclusion matters so much to me. The best teams are built on different experiences, perspectives and ideas.

Does your job require a degree?

I didn’t go to university and my career hasn’t followed a traditional academic route. Most of my learning has come through experience, great leaders, brilliant mentors and being willing to step outside my comfort zone. I’m a big believer that curiosity, resilience and a willingness to learn can take you a very long way.