A coffee with… Dale Barfoot

1. Do you enjoy working at Romero?

Very much so. The department that I work in is a laugh every day and there is never a dull moment. Everyone works so hard, and it’s a great environment which makes coming to work fun.

2. What’s been your favourite thing about being here?

The care that the company puts in for their staff. There are always new events or wellbeing opportunities which are fun, insightful or life changing. I myself have changed my eating habits and exercise patterns since starting here for the better.

3. What have you found most challenging?

As part of the development team, we are asked if we can do a wide range of stuff. Most of the time the answer is “yes” even if we don’t know exactly how. So it’s challenging to find out how we do these things. But learning is also something I enjoy, always pushing ourselves.

4. If you had to sum up your role in one sentence, what would it be?

Never boring, always involved in something new and exciting.

5. What has surprised you most about working here?

The staff. When I first joined I was expecting everyone to be very formal and uptight. But after a very short while here I realised it was actually the opposite. Everyone is still very professional but friendly. It’s a relaxed, pleasant workplace.

6. What would you like to change about insurance?

People’s understanding of it. When you say you work at an insurance brokers you get the same response each time – “robbing” or “greedy”. While I don’t know if this true at other brokers, at Romero I have seen first hand the effort and care that goes into making sure clients get proper cover and protection so when a disaster happens they still have a business at the end of it.

7. Where are you in 5 years’ time?

Still working here hopefully, improving my knowledge and skill set.

8. Where is Romero in 5 years’ time?

The biggest independent broker in the UK!

9. Where did you work previously, and what did you do?

I worked freelance for a year after leaving university, creating and designing various websites for clients and working other odd jobs in between.

10. What drives you to succeed?

Improvement. I love seeing how much I have improved in the past year. Knowing that I have made progress in my goals and career is something I can be proud of.

11. Sum yourself up in 5 words.

Friendly, Hardworking, Competent, Unique, Nerd.

12. What’s your perfect Sunday?

Either chilling out with my dog or having a good pub meal with friends.

13. If you were a biscuit, what would you be and why?

Buttermilk Biscuits because moms love me (not in that way!)

14. What’s your pet hate?

When people don’t use manners, how hard is it to say please and thank you?

15. If you were stranded on a desert island and could take one book, one luxury and one song, what would they be?

Book: How to stay alive by Bear Grylls
Luxury: A warm coat
Song: Africa – Toto