What made you choose a career in finance?

I studied and originally worked in technology, but early on in my career I found that business and finance were the most engaging to me. My interest in mathematics and economics drove me further towards finance, as did its relationship with technology; I think the two are intrinsically linked, so combining my passion for them both made working in digital banking a perfect match.

And how are you settling in to your new role?

Very well! Everyone has been welcoming and friendly, and they are an extremely professional bunch with a strong team dynamic. I’ve been impressed by the degree to which they understand our customers, which is crucial because our customers are the most important part of what we do and every decision we make should be taken with them in mind.

What you enjoy most about what you do?

I like that every day brings its own variety and challenges! Implementing projects then assessing their tangible benefits for customers is a particular highlight, and using this knowledge when setting the bank’s strategy and long-term objectives. I also enjoy the the number of different teams and departments I work with; whether it’s the local team here in the UK, the headquarters in Paris, or various other business areas, I like seeing the links between each part and the way they interact.

How do you make a difference?

I’m constantly speaking with the wider RCI Banque team based in Paris to make sure the needs and wants of our UK customers are always taken into account. I also bring a strong background in IT to the table, so when setting strategy for the coming years I prioritise the importance of doing things digitally and looking to see how we can create and deliver projects that will add value to the customer in terms of our online offering.

How does your experience benefit RCI customers?

I have always been interested in the savings market and I understand both finance and IT very well, which is important in an exclusively online bank! My experience as an IT consultant for IBM and PWC made me savvy when it comes to all things digital and technology-focused. I’m also a chartered accountant, which underpins my knowledge of regulations and the high standards we maintain at RCI Bank.

What are your views on the future of digital banking and big data?

I think big data is the future, not just of business and the economy, but for the whole world. While this is an exciting development that we’re taking a leading stance on, the key for us is protecting our customers and keeping their data secure. We want to make it easy for our customers to understand how their information is being used, and to make the best use of it without being intrusive so we can bring more value and deliver the things that they want.

And what do you think is next for RCI Bank?

The next step for us is to look at the different things we could be bringing to our customers, to decide on what we want to run with, and then to pick the best technologies to deliver it. Today we have savings, so next up will be to understand what other products and services we can offer, then to use technologies not just to deliver them but to make the whole process more efficient and easier for customers to use, ultimately bringing value to them.

What are your hobbies outside of work?

I love all sports, and football is a particular passion of mine; Liverpool is my team. I like to watch cricket and golf, and to go to different sporting events. Where I’m from near Kilkenny in Ireland we play hurling, which is an amateur sport but it’s like a religion over there. Outside of that, I’m learning to speak French as well.

Finally, tell us a fact about yourself that we wouldn’t know...

I was born on Christmas Day, which means that although people rarely forget my birthday, I’m always short on presents!