Name: Mariee Payne
Role: Audit Manager
Time at Saffery: 1 month
What’s the best bit about your job?
I work primarily with not-for-profits, and I love how many different charities I work with and getting to see the impact they all have. They are all doing such incredible things for society and it makes me really happy I can play even a small part in that.
The culture of Saffery is really important to the business and the people within it – what do you think you bring to the team and what do you contribute?
This is one of the reasons that I decided to join Saffery as I thought it would be a great culture fit!
In my previous role I got involved with lots of in-office committees and events, including leading initiatives around diversity and wellbeing, like Time to Talk day, and organising a team to run in the Bournemouth Marathon festival for a mental health charity.
I’m really excited to get involved in the great things that Saffery are doing!
If you weren’t doing this role, what might you be doing?
In another life I would be a marine biologist. I love the sea and am literally at my happiest when snorkelling and exploring underwater.
I did want to be a Broadway star, however that dream was crushed when I came to the realisation that I am tone deaf.
When I retire, I want to open up a second-hand bookstore attached to a café. I have so many books at home and I love recommending them to family and friends based on what I know they like.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Anything outdoors, I am definitely a summer person! I love paddle boarding, rowing, surfing – anything water based. I recently took some snowboard lessons- it was a LOT harder than I thought it was going to be.
I have a dog, Seamus, and love going on weekend adventures with him followed by a Starbucks hot chocolate and a pup cup on our way home.
Tell us something about yourself that we don’t know
I am obsessed with earrings. I dread to think how many pairs I must have. The funkier the better.
Who or what inspires you?
My mum and sister both work in care. The amount of resilience they have is incredible and I don’t think I could do their job. My sister tells me stories of being hit by dementia patients, yet she never changes how patient and warm she is, then she also tells me some amazing stories of some of the great lives people have lived. I hope when I’m older there are people like my sister and mum around!
I love reading and sometimes there are definitely lines in a book which really stick with me. One of these is in a Jodi Picoult book where she said “You can’t plan your life. Because then you have a plan. Not a life.” As a serial planner of everything, I really try and force myself back to this from time to time.
What’s your favourite place in Dorset?
I have so many favourites! Christchurch is a staple favourite. The Ducking Stool café there is the best milkshake place I’ve found.
When the tourists come in the summer we head to the New Forest where there are still so many undiscovered spots.
Give 3 words to describe yourself
Passionate, stubborn, dependable
