Elizabeth Brown, Research Team

What did you do before starting at Triodos?
I was the Office Manager/Administrator for a small charitable trust in London that made grants to social welfare and conservation charities totalling about £1.5m per year. There were only three of us on the staff team, which meant I had lots of responsibility and I was involved in some way in everything the Trust did.

What led you to join Triodos?
I already knew about Triodos as they made loans and provided business banking services to some of the charities we made grants to. It was very important for me to work for an organisation whose values I shared and I could see that Triodos makes a real difference to the development of a fairer and more sustainable world through the use of money.

What position were you in when you joined Triodos?
I was PA to the UK Managing Director, Charles Middleton, in March 2006.

What other positions at Triodos have you held up to now?
In July 2008 I moved into my current role as a Sustainability Analyst working for the Triodos Research Team, which is based in the Netherlands. I am the first researcher employed by Triodos to work outside the Netherlands. The job involves analysing the sustainability performance of some of the listed companies included in the SRI (Socially Responsible Investment) funds we currently offer to our customers in Europe. I am also involved in the development of new ethical screening criteria for the funds.

How has Triodos supported your progression?
Triodos really supports people who want to move to other roles in the bank and this was made clear to me as soon as I started working here and I have seen it happen quite a few times over the last couple of years. The bank tries hard to hang on to good co-workers and this means being flexible about career progression opportunities. Because we are still quite a small organisation you also need to be quite flexible and proactive about taking up those opportunities.

What has been the best thing about your career at Triodos?
The people who work here. And the sense that we are making a positive difference.

What one thing would you want to tell someone looking at starting a career with Triodos?
That would depend on where they are coming from. People from all backgrounds can find a place here, but the culture is very different from that of more mainstream financial services. You need to be quite adaptable and be prepared for a more 'hands on' approach. You will also probably start buying organic vegetables and green electricity at home!

Where is your career going at Triodos? What is your ultimate career goal?
I don't have an ultimate career goal. I am very happy at Triodos and because the company is growing and changing all the time I think there will be plenty of opportunities for me in the future.