Last week marked my last day at Openreach.

As data analysts, quantifying is our natural tendency. We also know that numbers, paradoxically, are not everything. And that oftentimes the picture has to be helped with words to colour the context. As I’m transitioning from numbers to words, I am honoured to take with me the knowledge about the importance of both, and everything that falls in between.

If I were to present an analysis of my time at Openreach, there would be some things that I could quantify quite easily: 2 years, 2 offices, 2 departments and 2 teams; hundreds of ran SELECT’s, possibly weeks of waiting for said SELECT’s results, millions of retrieved rows, 9 published Qlik dashboards and probably at least 90 migration requests for all the follow up updates.

There are also elements that seem deceivingly straightforward to put into numbers: tens of amazing team mates and many more inspiring people across the department and beyond, 7 brilliantly organised connects and other networking events, multiple incredibly fun social outings and a few legendary hangovers. For these, however, stopping at a numerical description would be a dishonour to all the value and merit that lie beyond: the connections, the friendships, the pride, the excitement, the achievements and all the precious lessons learned that I am immensely grateful for.

And then, for the most important parts of my Openreach experience, even the most skilled analyst would struggle to assign a number to, because it’s virtually impossible to quantify feelings and human connection. This list is long but the common denominator is that everything in this category is about people, the incredible people that make up the best part about working for Openreach.

• All the understanding Danny Clayton , my manger has shown me through my professional and personal tribulations alike. Having bravely stepped into a challenging position, Danny listened, learned, discussed, tried to provide direction & stepped up to being a great manager without sacrificing his humanness and approachability. This helped me keep transparent and authentic, which I highly appreciated.
• Before Danny, I was extremely lucky to have another wonderful manager – Sian Collinson , who took me under her wing when my first manager left the business 3 months into my time at Openreach. Our catch-ups were the highlight of my week, and I really felt like I know Sian personally even if it took us almost 2 years to finally meet and hug in real life?Her care brought Claire Rymarz into my close professional circle, and working with her is a period which I still consider one of most growth for me in terms of Qlik skills.
• The person without whom ODI cannot be fathomed, and who allowed me to be myself and encouraged all the chaotic energy I carry - the director of our department, Rich Hunt . I am hugely grateful for all the opportunities, serious and fun, you’ve sent in my direction, and for all the different ways you’ve looked out for me. Filming our little Qlik manifesto is one of the many highlights I’ll forever cherish, as is the Openreach hoodie - being awarded which has elevated a rough morning following a night of too much post ODI Connect fun. ?
• And of course, I cannot mention said opportunities without shouting Lisa Thipthorp and Han Jennings ’s names from the rooftops, who facilitated and made it all possible for me and so many others. Their incessant efforts make not only me, but everyone in ODI feel like an inherent part of a team, and they empower us through upskilling, internal & external networking, and cultivating a true sense of belonging. I really felt taken care of by both of them, and I personally find nothing more motivating in a job than someone who cares about you as a person, not just as an employee.
• The list of people without whose help I would’ve got stuck so many times is incredibly long, and expands across continents. From my immediate team members and now good friends - Melissa Bilambo , Samesh Lagan , Chris Hopton , to the wider group of AA-ers & ODI-ers based in London, starting with Louis Counter and Ashley Robinson whose brains I picked on so many occasions and who have patiently guided me through some of the silliest, and some of the trickiest ?questions; and my fellow CFGs ( Rahima Saad Fardowsa A. Thays Miran-Miller Iman H. Ozge Bilge Lizzie Wren Georgia Grant Sarvenaz Moradi, Ph.D Shahana A. Gamze Kutluol Chloe Grant )who were a rock during shaky corporate times; all the way to our offshore colleagues from thousands of miles away, whose diligence and work ethic is truly inspiring!
• The enthusiasm and determination of the entire team and especially Victoria Raine , in the face of the mountainous task of revamping not only a whole suite of hundreds of reports, but also the entire data culture in a company of over 35,000 people is immeasurable. I am sure that by now, even the most re-org sceptical person has been convinced of the value the creation of ODI has brought. And I have no doubt the future is bright for every amazing person in this amazing team!
• ?And everyone who I knew and didn’t know that creates Openreach!?

Last week marked my last day at Openreach.?

I always knew I will write this line at some point this year, and that it will be bittersweet. But I could’ve never imagined it would be for the reasons it happened.?

I thought I would write about how I’m once again embarking on the journey of self-discovery I initially set off 2 years ago, when London pulled me back. I haven't given enough credit to the work I was doing whilst I thought I'm not moving. Because as it happens, the biggest motions are usually within oneself, and at some point in the last 2 years I dared to believe in my creativity, nudged gently by the many wonderful people in my life.?

I believed in my dreams enough to briefly pursue acting, to dedicate time to writing, and to honour the beauty I see in everything around me enough to channel it into a little passion project. This enabled me to realign what I thought is possible for me, and has compounded into enough confidence to apply to a programme I could once only dream about.?

Tomorrow this programme of my dreams becomes my reality. The Barn at BBH is an 8-month creative placement with a focus on setting students up to secure jobs at the best agencies in the advertising industry.?And although this might be a bad thing to admit for someone who will potentially choose the copyrighting path, words are not enough to express my honour and gratitude to be amongst the 10 students that will get to experience the Barn 2024/25 under Nick Gill’s mentorship.

And I am incredibly excited for this next voyage.?