What was your background before joining Altus?
Before joining Altus, I spent 17 years helping to scale up a now major UK mortgage broker, initially as a web developer before progressing to Development Manager, focussing on Agile development teams. Eventually Head of Technology, covering Development, Infrastructure and Business Intelligence. I have been involved in quite a few transformation programmes along the way, so I can appreciate the challenges that arise. During that time, I was lucky enough to work with many of the major UK lenders and insurers on various technical projects.
What attracted you to Altus?
Variety! After spending a lot of my career working for one area of financial services, I was keen to gain exposure to the other FS verticals and a wide range of organisations. Altus has built up an amazing list of FS clients that they continue to support through strategic change programmes.
Tell us a bit about your team.
We have brought together a large Digital team of highly experienced technologists, all of whom have had diverse careers. Working with them and the wider Altus teams to solve client challenges is really satisfying. Everyone in the team is super supportive of each other.
What do you do in your role?
Over the course of my first year, I have supported Technology Selections (RFI/RFP), built various Transition State Architectures for UK & international clients and provided oversight of our Technical Associates who form a critical part of client project teams.
What do you enjoy about working here?
As above, the variety, the support of the team and the general culture of the business to continually improve. It is no accident that the leadership team have brought together a talented and highly motivated group of people.
How has your role changed since being here?
Initially there was a thorough induction covered by many people across the organisation which was a great way to meet people and get a solid grounding in how we help our clients. I then shadowed my line manager on an engagement for the first few months, before branching out on engagements with other teams. It has been an action packed first year of external and internal projects; I look forward to what 2025 brings.
What has made you stay?
The people and the growth. There is a huge amount to learn from the people I work with and the projects I support. There is no substitute for experience, so having the opportunity to work with the top financial firms in the UK and beyond is fantastic.