Does data now have a seat at the table during strategic discussions? If not, what will it take to get it there?
It definitely has a seat at the table, with data being one of the four pillars of our corporate digital strategy. We’ve come an incredibly long way since first starting our data journey back in 2018, however we can always do more and I think the key to truly unlocking this is ensuring that everyone else at the table knows why data is sitting there.
We want everyone to evangelise that data is key to decision-making, that data is a core enabler in delivering our business goals, and that analytics and data science can deliver real value. Part of my role is to work with our senior stakeholders to bring the importance of data to life for them and their business area.
What are your key areas of focus for data and analytics in 2022?
We are so excited about what’s coming up in 2022 and to quote our very awesome COO, Katie Bickerstaffe, “it’s time to turbo-charge our operations”. For us in digital and data, we have three key areas of focus this year: firstly, continuing to grow our cloud data platform, BEAM, and having 100% of our data ingested and accessible; secondly, scaling data science to deliver £100 million-plus benefit over the next three years; and thirdly, up-skilling every colleague in the business to use digital and data tools and behaviours to be successful in their role, through our BEAM Academy. It’s going to be a busy, but incredible, 2022.
Tell us what leadership means to you in the context of your role as a senior data leader.
The first thing that immediately comes to mind is my team. I am very privileged to be working with such a talented, experienced and passionate group of people and being a leader, to me, means ensuring they have my support, guidance and time to do their jobs successfully. And even more importantly, ensuring that they are happy and motivated doing their jobs!!
In addition to that, if you are fortunate to be in a leadership position, it is such a huge opportunity to role model the change you have always wanted to see, which for me is driving the inclusion and diversity (I&D) agenda. Within the digital and data space, we support organisations and movements such as Women in Data and Girls who Code and we now have women making up more than 40% of our data roles. We still have a more work to do in this space, but as a business, I&D is core to our strategy and future success.
What key skills or attributes do you consider have contributed to your success in this role?
Something I have always done, and I encourage everyone to do, is bring your unique, authentic self to work. Stop using your energy trying to fit a certain mould, but spend that energy being the best version of your authentic self instead. It’s pretty remarkable the change you see in people when they start to do that!
On the flip side to that, I like to think that I’m inclusive with other people’s unique selves – I’m mindful of how other people like to work and interact which may be opposite to me, I make space and time for those who think differently and have different approaches and personalities, and ultimately, I care about the people around me. I hope my team would agree! The best advice I can give, is to be kind to yourself and to those around you.
How did you develop – and continue to develop – these skills or attributes?
There have been two awesome managers that stand out in my career (thank you, Syd and Jeremy, if you’re reading this), who supported me and made me feel that I can be Suze and be successful, and that I can start a career in data without a technical degree or experience.
Find your cheerleaders and sponsors as they will help you develop and grow. I also love to learn – I learn from my team, from my peers, from my manager. I read a lot of books and always alternate between fiction and non-fiction, challenging myself to pick books or take recommendations for things maybe outside of my comfort zone. For example, I’m currently reading a book about the immune system. M&S also do amazing external speaker events which are incredibly inspiring.
