Ellen Fensom | Programme Manager – Virtual Accounts Management | Barclays

 

I joined Barclays on the graduate scheme with a masters in mathematics. I’ve always enjoyed solving problems and in supporting those around me.

I’ve used my background in logic and programming experience from my degree, to build a career in a technology delivery role. At the start of my career I performed a number of change roles covering analysis and design, testing, implementation and project management. This varied background allows me to bring a team along with me on a journey as I have first hand experience of the challenges they face.

Since 2017 I found my passion – delivering large, complex programmes of work with lots of different teams and technologies involved. Luckily Barclays technology estate, in its underlying nature, offers a lot of complexity especially in the payments and digital banking space where I work. A lot of my deliveries have required navigating both old and new platforms to deliver the best available solution for the client. This has also meant working with teams who are implementing all different types of technologies; from MQ to kafka, from C+ to Java, from monolith to microservice architecture, from mainframe applications to cloud hosted ones. I wouldn’t profess to be an expert in any one technology but I do enjoy getting exposure to a wide range and working out how they all fit together.

I currently manage a team of over 50 including team members in the UK and India and a team of resources from a third party supplier. I have delivered Regulatory Programmes and Material Growth Initiatives using my ability to take something complex and simplify it, without forgetting the details.

I sit on the Leadership team within my department and influence the wellbeing agenda. My passion is in supporting other women in technology to thrive and I use this influence to be able to build that network. I am often the go to person for help and support across the team.

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