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Jon Hussey, Head of Data and Strategic Analytics, Barclays Payments

What has been your path to power?

 

I have been lucky enough to spend my entire 30+ year career at Barclays – rising from the lowest entry level bank branch roles to now managing director. I have worked across so many businesses and functions, but data has always been at the heart of my ability to lead change and develop enhanced capabilities for the bank and our customers. The best way to truly understand and appreciate the power of data is through experiencing and seeing with your own eyes the end-to-end processes, customer needs and vast opportunities that exist within any organisation or business to unleash.

 

I have also had the incredible opportunity to work with data talent around the world (US, South Africa, India, the Middle East and Europe), including a three-year period living in Johannesburg delivering Pan-African technology solutions – all powered by data. I started my current role in March 2017, building and leading a brand new data and strategic analytics capability, internally branded “DASA” for Barclays Payments. We’re the leading UK bank in payments processing and have access to a huge proportion of all UK payments received and made, across all channels – a dream role for anyone with a genuine passion for leveraging and innovating with data!

What impact has the pandemic had on the role of data in your company/organisation?

 

Data has been at the heart of how we’ve adapted and supported our customers, colleagues and suppliers during the pandemic. The pandemic has dramatically increased the need and appetite across the organisation for real-time indicators of consumer and business behaviour, helping us adapt and ensure we can offer the right support at the right time, given COVID restrictions and guidelines have changed constantly and at short notice.

Does data now have a seat at the table during strategic discussions? If not, what will it take to get it there?

 

Always! Whether it’s live interactive dashboards, “scrollytelling”, animated visualisations or simple facts, data is at the heart of not only strategic decision making, but how we operate at every level of the company. It has been a privilege to be part of the evolution and recognition that data and digital are both critical capabilities that need to be brought seamlessly together as the lifeblood of how we meet and deliver brilliant customer outcomes.

 

What are your key areas of focus for data and analytics in 2022?

 

We’re continuing our journey on expanding our internal payments observatory (providing immediate data and insights to all colleagues) and constantly innovating in the payments data space for the benefit of our clients and customers.

 

We also continue to evolve our ground-breaking relationship with the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS). We have proven the power of “payments data for public good’ through helping the ONS improve current statistics and even new metrics to support UK Society through data-led government policy decision making.

 

Tell us what leadership means to you in the context of your role as a senior data leader.

 

Leadership for me is all about empowering, inspiring and setting a clear vision for individuals to thrive and be excited on how data and their role within the organization can make a difference to society. We also have an important and urgent responsibility to help shape and personally sponsor initiatives to build and excite the next generation of data leaders – how we develop young talent is critical to all our future.

 

Also recognising how diversity can play the largest role in a team’s success – different backgrounds, different analytic experiences, different technical/tool preferences or opinions. Rather than restricting individuals, build a culture of encouraging, recognising and celebrating diversity, new ideas and innovation.

What key skills or attributes do you consider have contributed to your success in this role?

 

No individual is an expert at every subject or topic of data and analytics. I have a team of experts that together do amazing things. Trust, encouragement, support and recognition are critical attributes – more so than technical prowess.

 

How did you develop – and continue to develop – these skills or attributes?

 

Through listening, experiencing, getting it wrong at times, but most importantly learning from others.

Is the data tech you have keeping pace with your goals and requirements? Are your providers leading or lagging behind your demands?

 

Our data platforms, tools and overall infrastructure needs to constantly adapt in line with our business strategy and priorities. We have a brilliant relationship with both our internal technology partners and our external technology and data partners. The key word is Partnership. We don’t expect or want someone else to have all the answers. We want to work WITH great talent, great startups and great partners to co-create.

 

Jon Hussey
has been included in:
  • 100 Brands 2020 (EMEA)
  • 100 Brands 2021 (EMEA)
  • 100 Brands 2022 (EMEA)

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