More than Numbers

Lydia Monnington, Data Science Lead at Google DeepMind with a rich background at Meta and Ocado, dives into the optimal structuring of data teams. She discusses the evolution from centralized to embedded teams and the perks of a hybrid model. Lydia emphasizes building strong relationships between data professionals and business stakeholders, plus shares practical tips for managing diverse roles like data engineers and analysts. Her insights aim to transform data organizations into effective decision-making engines.

Callum Ballard, Analytics Director at Omaze, shares insights on leveraging metric trees to enhance business clarity in a charity prize draw organization. He discusses the pitfalls of traditional dashboards that lead to metric overload and emphasizes a mathematical approach to metrics for better decision-making. Callum explains how to build your first metric tree, proving its value to stakeholders, and reveals how this visualization technique can uncover hidden opportunities and streamline team focus on vital KPIs.

Jimmy Mogrip, the Global Director of Insights and Analytics at Podimo, shares his unique journey from behavioral science to data analytics. He discusses how Podimo's specialized teams—AI, Business Intelligence, and Insights & Analytics—drive business value. The conversation highlights the need for soft skills like problem translation and data storytelling over technical expertise. Mogrip also reveals how his team transforms data into actionable insights and builds trust through effective collaboration and communication.

In this engaging conversation, Mico Yuk interviews Ollie Hughes, a data expert and the founder of Count, who focuses on empowering data teams. They discuss the urgent need for data teams to evolve from simple support roles into strategic contributors within businesses. Ollie outlines four critical tenets that help teams break free from the 'service trap' and enhance their impact. He also shares insights on diagnosing service traps and emphasizes the importance of operational clarity and effective resource allocation to maximize business value.

What causes most data leaders to fail? And how would one of the top coaches around go about putting these things right? That’s exactly what we address in this episode of More than Numbers Live as Ollie Hughes sits down with top data leadership coach, Tristan Burns. They’ll discuss the most common data leader challenges Tristan sees among his clients—and how to go about solving them. Drawing on his years in banking, startups, and scale-ups, Tristan unpacks the structural challenges facing modern data teams, from unclear roles to a lack of strategic visibility, and why business acumen, not just technical skills, is the new superpower for data leaders. In our conversation, Tristan breaks down: 1. Why understanding company strategy is non-negotiable for data leaders 2. How becoming more business-minded empowers data specialists 3. What shadow data teams reveal about unmet demand, and why they need to be unified, not siloed off If you’re a data leader looking to make a bigger impact, then this episode is for you. Tune in for insights to help you align your team with your company’s strategy and drive real business value! What you'll learn [01:32] The tool that made Tristan realise data was the industry he wanted to be in. [04:02] Specific problems that he has repeatedly seen among data teams and leaders. [06:27] Ollie’s approach for helping data leaders move out of being a support function. [08:58] Why it’s essential to have a strategic vision for data teams in an organisation. [10:00] Solving the lack of clarity around the role of data teams in the industry. [11:03] Contextualising data’s relatively short legacy compared to other departments. [13:58] The pros and cons of shadow data teams and why they are so common. [17:36] How Tristan coaches data leaders on overcoming industry challenges. [18:28] Why every data leader need to understand their organisation’s strategy. [21:36] Observations on how data leaders feel about AI in the short and long term. [23:15] Advice to those starting their data career: avoid corporates. [24:21] Tristan answers our anonymous data leadership question! Downloads & links 👋 Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn 👋 Find Tristan’s coaching and consulting at Tris J Burns 🔗 Check out Tristan’s Blog 🔗 Learn how to create a data-centric culture with Tristan’s Data Leadership Playbook 🚀 Connect with Ollie Hughes 🎙️ Subscribe to More than Numbers

Magnus Dahlbäck, Senior Director of Data and Platform at Voi, shares insights from his work at one of Europe’s leading micro-mobility companies. He discusses the importance of a well-governed metric catalog over traditional dashboards, enhancing data accessibility. Magnus explains how Voi's shift to a metrics-first approach has empowered teams and increased business impact. He also touches on Voi’s innovative data stack and the transformation of data teams into proactive problem-solvers, fostering collaboration and strategic insights within the organization.

Lina Mikolajczyk, the Director of Data and Advanced Analytics at Bumble, shares her expertise in transforming data teams into essential growth drivers. She discusses a 90-day plan for new data leaders to assess impact and set priorities effectively. Lina emphasizes the cultural shift needed for quick data-driven decision-making and the importance of a data maturity survey for stakeholder feedback. Throughout the conversation, she highlights the value of overcommunication in managing expectations and building credibility as strategic partners.

The best data teams aren't dashboard factories, they're problem solvers. Key value drivers for the organization as a whole. But how do you get there among the sea of stakeholder questions and requests? In this episode of More than Numbers Live, host Ollie Hughes sits down with Thibaud Arbes Dupuy, VP of Business Performance at Deezer, to discuss how data teams can shift from being passive report generators to proactive problem solvers. Thibaud shares his journey from banking and M&A into data leadership and breaks down the mindset and strategies his team uses to drive business performance. He discusses: How to reposition data teams as problem-solving engines, not just analytics support Why operational clarity is the most underrated superpower of data teams The hiring approach that has helped Deezer build a high-impact analytics team Tune in today to learn how to move beyond dashboards and make data a key driver of business decisions! What you'll learn [01:14] Thibaud’s favorite BI tools and why he believes Excel still reigns supreme. [02:12] The story of his unexpected path into data and how strategy meets execution. [05:52] Inside Deezer’s data stack: speed, accessibility, and executive-friendly reporting [07:17] Why Thibaud isn’t “Head of Data” and how positioning under the Chief Revenue Officer changes everything. [11:23] Focus is everything: the number one way to ensure data teams drive real value. [15:57] The keys to becoming a problem-solving team, start with earning trust. [17:58] Deezer’s hiring secret: why they only hire junior talent and train them in-house. [21:02] Practical steps to stop being a dashboard factory: speak the language of business. [22:46] Reasons that data teams win big when they bring clarity, focus, and an opinion. Downloads & links 👋 Connect with Thibaud on LinkedIn 🔗 Learn more about Deezer 🚀 Connect with Ollie Hughes 🎙️ Subscribe to More than Numbers

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! 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. Downloads & links 👋 Connect with Phillip on LinkedIn 🔗 Check out Monzo Bank 🚀 Connect with Ollie Hughes 🎙️ Subscribe to More than Numbers

Mico Yuk, a data storytelling expert and co-founder of the Data Storytelling Academy, trained over 20,000 data analysts. She reveals the three critical mistakes analysts make and emphasizes the importance of storytelling and empathy in data work. Mico advocates for critical thinking over merely focusing on dashboards, encouraging analysts to shift from being 'chart monkeys' to strategic thinkers. She also shares insights on improving workflow and clarity in analytics, helping teams harness the true value of their data.