Meet Jamie, Risk Analyst at Zopa

"I studied Mathematics at the University of Warwick and have always been someone who enjoys understanding how things work and solving difficult problems. Outside work, I’m very active and adventurous, and I’m also naturally curious and always looking for something new to learn.

My interest in maths drew me towards analytics, where I could apply structured problem-solving and technical skills to real-world questions. What I’ve enjoyed most since starting my career is seeing how data can help improve decisions, solve practical problems and create better outcomes for customers."

What is your role and how long have you been here?

"I’ve been working as a Risk Analyst at Zopa for just under a year as part of the new Risk Lab, and I’m loving it! The role uses many of the core skills you would expect in analytics, including statistics, SQL and Python, but applies them to a particularly broad and varied set of problems.

My projects can include reviewing model and data risks; investigating operational risks and building controls to prevent or detect problems before they occur; and analysing customer experiences and outcomes. Because the Risk Lab works across different areas of the bank, I get exposure to an especially wide range of projects, teams, products and business processes that
I might not have had access to otherwise.

That combination of applying and developing my technical skills, project variety and visible impact is what I enjoy most. I can understand how different parts of the bank fit together while working on projects where the value to the business or the customer is often very clear."

What has been the single most important thing you learnt so far in your job?

"The most important thing I’ve learnt is that strong analysis is not just about producing the technically correct answer. It is equally important to understand the wider context, communicate your reasoning clearly and make sure the work leads to a useful decision or action.

When you first begin an analytical role, it can be tempting to tunnel vision on the code or the numbers. However, the most valuable work often starts with asking the right questions, speaking to the people who understand the process, and explaining the results in a way that different audiences can use.

Technical skills help you find an answer, but context and communication are what make that answer useful."

What would a ‘normal’ day look like for someone in your role?

"There isn’t really one completely normal day. Every day is different, which is one of the things I enjoy most about the role. My morning will often begin with a coffee and catch-up with the team, getting the latest updates and news, checking dashboards, and discussing progress on projects.

The rest of the day depends on the projects I’m working on. I might use SQL and Python to investigate a potential risk or do a deep dive into customer-centred data, such as analysing customer calls to identify what’s driving contacts. Another day could be focused on meeting with other teams to understand a process, and then to design and test a new control for it, or presenting findings and recommendations to stakeholders.

There is a good balance between focused analytical work and collaboration, and I often finish the day having learnt something new about a different part of the bank."

What is the company culture like?

"There is a reason Zopa is often recognised as one of the most loved workplaces! Zopians are friendly, approachable and always willing to share their knowledge or help where they can. I’ve found this to be true across the business, even when speaking to colleagues who work in completely different areas.

The culture at Zopa is collaborative, open and fast-moving, with a strong sense of trust and ownership. I was given the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects early in my career, while still having support from more experienced colleagues when I needed it. People are encouraged to ask questions, experiment with new ideas and challenge existing ones, and look for better ways of doing things."