Spotlight on Denise Hebborn

What is your role and what does it involve?

I am the Divisional Administrator and PA to the Director of Finance and Business Affairs. This involves managing the Director's diary, organising the Divisional All Staff meetings, and helping the Divisional Manager ensure that everything in our department is running smoothly. I am also a Wellbeing Champion and Mental Health First Aider for the division, as well as a Green Champion and the Deputy Departmental Safety Officer. 

How long have you been at UCL and what was your previous role?

I have been with UCL for around 18 months now, following a brief stint working for a property company in Croydon. 

What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?

I must say that achieving the Platinum Sustainability Award in my first year of being a Green Champion is up there! It was an extremely busy 8 months (we started late!), but our hard work absolutely paid off :)

Tell us about a project you are working on now which is top of you to-do list?

Goodness, I've got loads on this year!

The FBA Green Team and I are now working towards achieving the "Excellence" Sustainability Award, which is one up from Platinum - we've already got lots of Green events planned, so if any other Green teams would like to get in touch with tips, suggestions, or collaboration offers, please do!

I'm also one of FBA's Wellbeing Champions and Mental Health First Aiders - these are roles I'm really trying to develop this year, in order to make FBA as positive a working environment as can be.

Finally, I am in the middle of being trained up as a UCL Fair Recruitment Specialist - this is a role I cannot wait to start! Fair Recruitment Specialists are being trained in order to sit on interview panels and help UCL meet its aspirations on equality, diversity and inclusion. We will do this by helping select the best candidate possible while making sure that best practice in non-biased recruitment is followed throughout the process. Watch this space!

What is your favourite album, film and novel?

Album - It's been years since I've sat and listened to an album! I'm more of a Spotify Playlist kinda gal!

Film - Titanic, Pan's Labyrinth and Fight Club!

• Fingersmith by Sarah Waters (plot twist after plot twist!)
• Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (what a brilliant author!)
• The Green Mile by Steven King (the film is the best adaptation of a book I have ever seen!)
• The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (utterly heartbreaking)

Novel - I made a New Year's Resolution (which I never normally do!) to starting reading again this year - I used to read a lot growing up, then life seemed to get in the way! I can't say I have a favourite, but this year I have had the absolute pleasure of reading:

I'd definitely recommend them all!

What is your favourite joke (pre-watershed)?

What is a pirate's favourite letter? 

Many think it's ARR, but no, his first love is the C! (Hahahaha it shouldn't crack me up but it does!)

Who would be your dream dinner guests?

Oh my goodness where to begin? Okay, the list is ECLECTIC to say the least…

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Channing Tatum, Munroe Bergdorf, Stormzy, JME, Ellen Degeneres, Jeremy Corbyn, Amber Rose, Gordon Ramsey, Colin Firth, Khloe Kardashian, Nicki Minaj, Beyonce and Akala.

I'm sure there are so many people I've missed off!

What advice would you give your younger self?

Study what you love, not what you think will make you look smarter to other people!

Save a little money every month! Your 26-year-old self will be grateful for it!

What would it surprise people to know about you?

I have an A Level (grade A) in Russian :)

What is your favourite place?

Hmm...in terms of physical places I'd have to say a beach, the gym or a pole studio. But really anywhere my loved ones are - home truly is where the heart is!