Rebecca Fitzgerald, Director of Data, Yorkshire Building Society

Describe your career to date 
As Director of Data at Yorkshire Building, I have a strong background in driving data outcomes aligned to business value. Through a variety of roles in technology and software delivery, and a compliance, risk and analytics background this provides a solid passion for empowering better decisions through optimised data and services. My mandate spans across all areas of Data from Data Governance, Risk and control, across to Data Change & Engagement, with everything in between including Data Architecture, Engineering and Insights. My main focus is forging a data enabling strategy and investments, aligned to business outcomes by removing boundaries and bottlenecks and showcasing the importance of data as an asset. Creating a culture where people care about data, with transparency and accelerants to make better decisions, my team is unlocking multi-million-pound benefits in our flagship data-enablers initiatives, to guide the business on its data-driven journey.
 
My career started in customer services roles, supporting everyday customer needs. From there, I moved into risk and compliance roles specialising in financial crime intelligence and financial services regulation, leading to a functional lead role supporting many projects, including mergers and acquisitions. This naturally developed into project, programme, and portfolio management delivering multi-million-pound transformations, including large systems and data migrations alongside highly regulated compliance changes. Following a passion for information and technology leadership, I went on to manage a 250-plus workforce in technology delivery, accountable for business analysis, software engineering, testing, change, and release, including management of strategic delivery and software partners. I was fundamental in driving forward the organisational approach for agile with implementation of modern-day engineering practices, including DevOps and reliability, supporting the next generation of digital services. I moved into my current role as Director of Data, seeking to transform the value of data and capability across the organisation. With a mandate covering data governance – including general data protection regulation, through to end-user data utilisation – I focus on creating sustainable services and high performing teams who are fulfilled in their roles. 
 
Throughout my career, I have maintained a focus on people and culture, showcased through my extensive, engaged network spanning multiple industries and diverse communities; and the lifelong friendships created along the way. My mentorship and coaching support various individuals, from early careers through to senior leaders, helping to shift the dial on women in tech and leadership. 
 
I support various groups, amplifying the voices of minorities and diverse characteristics of today’s society. My work to establish and grow an accessibility network within the workplace, focusing on physical disabilities and health conditions, alongside neurodiversity, aims to support individuals to be themselves, and for others to appreciate how they can create the right conditions. I am looking forward to representing in DataIQ (D&I Group) to share insights and help to make a difference across a wider stakeholder group. 
 
As Non-Exec Director of the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, I am committed to driving forward positive impacts on local communities and influencing better infrastructure to support business and economic growth. My role as Vice President for Bradford allows me to engage with executive leaders across the district and help to drive investments ’Up North’ as my DataIQ associates have heard me say, looking to recognise talent and capabilities outside of the capital.