Does data now have a seat at the table during strategic discussions? If not, what will it take to get it there?
Deliveroo has always been a very data-driven business and most decisions – from small daily calculations to big strategic bets – are informed by analytical work. To ensure that data scientists have the right business context in order to be true thought partners to all teams, they are embedded across the whole organisation.
Our function is essential in ensuring that we are identifying and going after the biggest opportunities. Luckily, this is being recognised across the company, which also means that the demand for more data scientists is continually growing.
What are your key areas of focus for data and analytics in 2022?
We IPO’d last year which has changed our planning horizon. For the data science team, this means we now spend a lot of our time thinking about long term opportunities to enable the exec team to make informed decisions to help deliver longer-term investments. We shift more of our focus on in-depth exploratory data science projects and away from quick analysis pieces.
Tell us what leadership means to you in the context of your role as a senior
data leader.
I see my role as empowering the team to do their best work by removing obstacles. That means making sure we have the right practices, processes and tools in place to succeed as a team. As their leader, it’s also my role to provide them with the right business context so they can identify how and where they can add most value. In relation to other teams, it’s important that the trust in the data function is maintained. The way to do that is clear and honest communication and ensuring that we are hitting the right levels of rigour and speed on our projects.
What key skills or attributes do you consider have contributed to your success
in this role?
Since I joined Deliveroo, the business has grown massively and there is no stopping us. The team I lead grew from five to 120 in less than 5 years. That required a lot of foresight and adaptability from me.
How did you develop – and continue to develop – these skills or attributes?
When it comes to foresight, knowing about the upcoming ideas across the business is key. Luckily, my team is embedded in all areas of the business and we regularly talk to all our stakeholders and colleagues, which means we are able to connect the dots and see what opportunities or challenges lie ahead.
In order to thrive in the fast-paced and dynamic environment we have at Deliveroo, I had to learn to make tough prioritisation calls. There are only so many hours in the day and I need to spend them on whatever is most pressing. Fortunately, making unexpected things happen is much more fun anyway!
