Sophie is a Junior Data Governance Analyst at Penguin Random House UK. After graduating with a Law degree in 2018 she worked in Information Security Governance, Risk and Compliance before pivoting into Data Governance earlier this year. In this new position, Sophie is responsible for delivering Data Governance best practices across the business.

How long have you been working in Data Governance?

I’ve been in Data Governance since the beginning of June. Before this I worked in Information Security Governance and Awareness roles and I can already see how the same skillset is applicable in this new world of governance.

Some people view Data Governance as an unusual career choice, would you mind sharing how you got into this area of work?

I had been working at Penguin Random House for 2 years when the opportunity in the Data Governance team came up – I’d been completing an apprenticeship in data analytics which had sparked a new love for data, and was very lucky to have Rupal, the previous Head of Data Governance, as my mentor through the internal mentorship scheme. When the role came up it seemed like the perfect fit to blend my existing experience with my new interest in all things data.

What characteristics do you have that make you successful at Data Governance and why?

My most useful characteristic is my endless curiosity – one of my favourite parts of this role is the opportunity to speak to so many people across the business and learn about what they do. This helps me to understand their data and strategic priorities, as well as how they fit together with the help of effective Data Governance. People love to talk to you about what they do, especially if you’re willing to help them with it! The key is to make sure you’re then relating your Data Governance priorities to their passions and strategy.

It’s also great to be curious about the different learning opportunities a Data Governance career path brings. I enjoyed developing my change management skillset when I completed the APMG Change Management Practitioner qualification last year, and I’m now focused on the more technical aspects of data management.

Are there any particular books or resources that you would recommend as useful support for those starting out in Data Governance?

I had the opportunity to take part in Nicola’s training when I first started this new role, and it was a great way to immerse myself in the world of Data Governance.

What is the biggest challenge you have ever faced in a Data Governance implementation?

A challenging part of working in a governance role is the need to continually explain the benefits of what you do – we are often asking people to add more to their to do list, so they rightfully want to understand why! This is where effective communication and change management strategies work hand in hand with Data Governance initiatives. As you continue to deliver consistent messaging, you build a support network in the business who can then drive your message further and add their own success stories.

Is there a company or industry you would particularly like to help implement Data Governance for and why?

I love working in a creative industry – I have a particular interest in helping colleagues understand how we can bring data analysis to the creative process, and the importance of Data Governance to support this.

What single piece of advice would you give someone just starting out in Data Governance?

My best advice would be to listen – to the colleagues in your team and your stakeholders in the business. Being a trusted ‘sounding board’ about their role, data issues or any day-to-day problems helps you piece together a cohesive view of your organisation and allows you to identify where Data Governance can aid in resolving genuine business issues. You’ll soon see that many people are facing the same problems, and it’s a great way to bring people together to work on your Data Governance initiatives.

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