From a first glance at ’s desk, it is clear that functionality is a main priority. Equipped with a laptop, headset, iPad and telephone, Griffin can be wherever her job needs her without sacrificing efficiency. In her own words, “What is important about my desk is that everything is mobile. We can pick up and we can be here [in Luxembourg] or we can be in the Netherlands or we can be in London.”
Some of the mobile items on Jill Griffin’s desk include an iPhone, iPad, laptop and headset. Photo: Marie Russillo / Maison Moderne
Griffin’s mobility also extends to inside the Hollerich branch itself, where she prioritises the people around her over the material aspects of her office space. “The fun part about being here is I’m with the team and we get to properly engage [each other].”
Ergonomic desk features
Griffin noted that she makes sure everything at her desk is ergonomic, meaning it promotes comfort and good posture. Equipped with a footrest, keyboard and mouse pad, it’s clear that health is of great importance to her. “It’s important to take care of ourselves when we spend as much time at our desk as we do,” she told Delano.
The essentials
Griffin’s space always features what she dubs her “essentials”: coffee and chocolates. Her go-to coffee is a black espresso (without sugar) from the Nespresso machine to keep her “powered up” throughout her day. She was not specific about which chocolate brand she preferred, though she did have dark chocolate truffles on her desk the day of the interview.
A Nespresso black coffee and dark chocolates are some of the essentials. Photo: Marie Russillo / Maison Moderne
Sicilian pinecone
While practicality and essentials are the main features of Griffin’s workspace, her desk still features one decoration: a Sicilian pinecone she stumbled upon during a recent holiday to Italy. Griffin admitted that she did not quite understand the cultural meaning behind the item when she first saw it, but found it cute nonetheless and brought it back to Luxembourg. As it turns out, the item is actually a good luck charm in Sicilian tradition (meaning it may also be an essential item after all!).
A Sicilian pinecone brings a bright touch to her desk. Photo: Marie Russillo / Maison Moderne
Though Griffin loves Columbia Threadneedle’s current location in Hollerich, she did note at the end of the interview that they will be moving soon. “We’re sort of in growth mode here,” she said. With 22 employees at the location and expectations to reach 30 by the end of the year, this expansion is evident. The firm’s next Luxembourg location is unannounced as of now.