A Day in the Life: Rhys Davies - NFU Mutual Agent - Ceredigion and Llandovery - Aberaeron

We caught up with Rhys Davies, an Agent of NFU Mutual and Group Secretary based in the NFU Mutual Ceredigion & Llandovery Agency, to get an inside look at what his typical day looks like. With over 16 years’ experience in the business, Rhys shares what keeps things fresh, the importance of teamwork, and why supporting customers remains the best part of the role.

What does a typical day look like for you?
That’s the beauty of this self-employed role – no two days are the same. I cover quite a large patch, stretching from the Cardigan coast up to Aberystwyth and inland. I’ve worked mostly in the northern part of that area for the last 15 or 16 years.

Today, for example, I was up at the Aberystwyth Agency this morning helping a couple of customers with farm forms, then had an insurance review with a large property management company. After that, I hopped in the car for a call closer to home. Tomorrow could look completely different. I might be out all day visiting customers, working remotely on my iPad, and letting the office handle the rest. On average, I probably split my time about 50/50 between being out in the field and being in the office.

What kind of work do you do with your team on a daily basis?
We’ve got quite a structured team setup. There are five Agents, and below that, two managers – one handling governance and the other managing operations. They take care of the day-to-day management so we can focus on strategic areas and customer relationships.

I also have an executive assistant who keeps me organised – managing my diary, preparing reports, processing notes. I spend a lot of time on the phone with her! Beyond that, I work closely with our sales team. I’ll check in on how their prospecting is going, support them on larger accounts, and help them get deals over the line when needed. It’s a real mix of leadership, support, and problem-solving.

What do you enjoy most about your role?
Without a doubt, getting out and seeing customers. That’s the most rewarding part. Whether it’s helping someone navigate a tough situation, like major storm damage or a big claim, or just being a reassuring voice on the ground, it’s great to know we can support people when they really need it.

That said, the team side is also very fulfilling. We recently merged offices, so it’s been exciting to bring new people together, build culture, and help the team develop.

What hours do you typically work?
I usually get going around 8am, whether I’m heading into the office or straight out to customer visits. Calls usually start around 8:30, and I tend to finish around 5 or 6pm, depending on what’s on. It can be a long day, but you make it work around your life.

Does that give you a good work-life balance?
It does – largely because of the flexibility. For example, I make sure I leave early every Tuesday to take my sons to rugby training. And when golf season kicks in, I’ll shift things to make space for that too. With three kids and a busy household, things can be chaotic at times, but being self-employed means I can plan my work around those moments that matter.

How much time would you say you spend travelling?
Probably around two hours a day, depending on where I’m going. Our area is pretty spread out, so it’s part and parcel of what to expect.

How much time does your Group Secretary role take up?
The busiest time by far is from March through to May, when we’re helping members with their application forms. That period takes a lot of focus. It’s all about making sure things are accurate, complete and submitted on time, so members feel confident everything’s been done properly.

The rest of the year, my role is more about being approachable and ready to support members when they need it. I’d call it a steady flow of day-to-day queries. Sometimes it’s just a quick check on something like a field boundary, other times it’s a more involved issue that needs a bit of discussion or interpretation. Either way, it’s about being a reliable point of contact and helping members feel supported throughout the year.

And of course, when anything particularly complex comes up, we’ve got excellent county advisors who bring real depth of knowledge. It’s great being able to draw on that kind of expertise.

On average, I probably spend around five hours a week on Group Secretary duties, though that varies depending on the season and what’s happening locally. It’s a rewarding part of my work.

For someone nervous about taking on a self-employed role as an Agent, what would you say?
I totally understand the nerves. It’s a big shift. But the support network is brilliant. Within the agency, we agents back each other up. You’ll also get to know a lot of other Group Secretaries and Agents across the region, and that becomes a real community. When you come in with others at the same time, you’ll train together and grow together. That support makes all the difference. So my advice would be to jump in, and you’ll find your feet quicker than you think.

Finally, what’s kept you in the role for over 16 years?
It’s the variety, the freedom, and the people. I still enjoy it as much now as I did when I started. And with the changes in our agency and team, it feels like there’s still so much to do and learn. That’s what keeps it fresh. Hopefully I’ll be doing it for another 16 years yet!

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