Four months in: Memories of a moustache
Posted by Alex Holcroft | Graduate blog on Wednesday 11 January 2012, 2:11PM Share
It's only been four months but there's already plenty for the recent Lloyd's graduates to reflect on.
From our induction, to charity work in London Fields and settling into our first placements, to our first set of exams - it's certainly been a busy few months. For two of us graduates however, the month of November will forever stand out the most 'distinguished' time in our scheme.
Many of you may be aware Movember (the month formally known as November) is the month in the year where gentlemen (with the support of Mo Sistas) across the globe sport facial hair in the name of charity and raising awareness of Men’s Health. The men and women of Lloyd’s were no different. Across the Corporation and in the Market, men who had secretly hankered for a fine top-lip rug embraced the urge and grew a moustache.
It was a tough first couple of weeks. For James and I, as members of a Movember team with some seasoned veterans of the facial hair world, our facial fuzz was just not cutting the mustard. Although James had originally aimed for a look akin to a WWI fighter pilot, he found himself having to point out his top lip to colleagues and insist on the ‘right lighting’ for promotional photos.
My situation was no better. Convinced on 1st November that by the 7th I would be sporting a look somewhere between Jonny Depp and Tom Selleck (what a combination), I found myself instead subjected to comments about the colour of my facial hair and my own father trying to convince me to buy something called "Dr Whiskers Quickgrowth" (Trust me it doesn’t exist).
However, it was always important to remember that we were part of a team working for a great cause. It was a cross-departmental effort from across the Corporation with many people chipping in. Not only were there those growing moustaches themselves, but we were also supported other members of the Corporation, we had Mo Sistas in the Corporation raising money and even senior members of the Corporation posing with fake moustaches for raise Movember’s profile (thanks Jose!).
Some of the members of the Movember team with Jose. James in second from right (not the right lighting in the photo though!)
There was also some publicity for the campaign with articles appearing in the industry press as well as on the intranet here at Lloyd’s. The campaign was also embraced overseas, from the Lloyd’s Asia office in Singapore through to the country manager for Mexico there were those from the Lloyd’s international family taking to the fine art of Moustachary.
By the end of Movember the team had done Moustaches all over the world proud, what had begun as a grassroots movement had brought together members of the Corporation from different departments, floors and with different facial hair ability, with fantastic results.
Through the teams’ efforts, money and awareness were raised for a great cause. We have so far raised £2,342 for charity and you can still donate here!
As graduates, it gave James and I an opportunity to see the Corporation at its best, not only aesthetically, but also showing what can be achieved when different departments collaborate as a team to make something great happen.
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