“Data is not the truth. It's a representation of the truth. So you desperately need someone who actually knows what the truth is. And that would be your domain expert or your subject matter expert.” — Phillip van Blerk [0:16:39]
Monzo is a powerhouse in the UK "modern banking" space, taking on the High Street incumbents to grow to 11 million customers. But what can data teams learn from a leader in the FinTech arena?
Turns out, a lot.
In this episode of More than Numbers Live, we sit down with Phillip van Blerk, Director of Finance Data at Monzo, the UK’s largest digital bank.
Phillip reveals how he’s taken learnings from the finance world to help his team at Monzo maintain top-tier data accuracy and make faster decisions.
He discusses:
- Monzo's internal data operations, including the development of in-house tools like Firehose.
- The importance of subject matter expertise in uncovering the truth behind data.
- Strategies for fostering a data-first culture, treating every team member as a data practitioner.
Want to know how Monzo gets data right and what your team can learn from their approach?
Tune in to hear Phillip share actionable strategies for integrating data fluency into every level of your team and learn how to leverage data for organizational success!
Brilliant data bits
“Anyone out there looking for an extra niche to go into, I would definitely think about that bridge between finance and data.” — Ollie Hughes [0:18:09]
“For me, or as a data leader, it's very, very important to see [my] whole organization, all of them, as data practitioners, and to make sure that you are actively working to increase the data literacy.” — Phillip van Blerk [0:22:36]
What you'll learn
- [01:04] Phillip’s first BI tool at university and its capabilities.
- [02:04] Monzo Bank’s data structure: key tools, including those developed internally.
- [04:03] Central responsibilities of Phillip’s team within finance.
- [05:07] An overview of the key tenants of data value: operational clarity and problem-solving.
- [06:01] How data teams form the glue of an organization by creating a common language.
- [08:31] Navigating the concept of objective truth within an organization.
- [11:12] How finance teams approach standardization of definitions.
- [14:30] Insights into the role of data teams in finance institutions.
- [16:24] The advantages of being a subject matter expert in the data you are working with.
- [18:42] Phillip’s advice to those early in their data careers.
- [20:42] Anonymous data letters posting questions to Phillip and his informative answers.
“We get the most out of dbt through a lot of tools that we develop internally, which makes your life much easier.” — Phillip van Blerk [0:03:47]
Downloads & links
👋 Connect with Phillip on LinkedIn
🔗 Check out Monzo Bank
🚀 Connect with Ollie Hughes
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