Ashley - Insurance

I am an account manager in the insurance department. I look after the travel firms who sell our insurance - there are 160 of them, which is around 240 outlets altogether, and the number is increasing daily.

My job is to make sure the agents have a good understanding of our products and are selling them correctly according to insurance regulations. I deal with any day-to-day problems or questions they face so the work is very varied. I do a lot of training and spend about 50 per cent of my time out of the office. One day I could be here dealing with problems on the web, sorting out customers' claims or setting up an account for a new agent and organising training for their people. The next day could be spent visiting agents, or I could be at a conference seeing 50 agents in one day. We are a small team and I enjoy having a lot of responsibility and freedom and being in charge of my own working day.

To do my job you need to be organised, patient and able to build a good relationship with your clients. For someone to want to sell your products you have to offer a great product and an easy-to-use system. However, it is important that the people you are dealing with like you, as this is the best way to build the relationship.

I joined Holiday Extras seven-and-a-half years ago - I started in the call centre. Working here is fun and rewarding, and my boss is great. I always have enough work to keep me busy, but I don't feel stressed at all - we have a relaxed atmosphere. I left Holiday Extras for 18 months and worked in two other companies. When I came back here it was like I'd never been away. Neither company compared to Holiday Extras. The people here are much more friendly, open and receptive towards each other. I have made more friends at Holiday Extras than in any other company I've worked for.