Turning data into decisions that shape banking

Meet Benjamin Tapolczay, Head of Deepening & Digital Intelligence, Decision Intelligence

I’ve always enjoyed data and analytical thinking, so I studied chemistry at university and later completed a Master’s in Spain. When I started thinking about my career, I wanted to understand how I could use those skills in a business.

What stood out about Barclays UK was the chance to influence products and services that millions of people use every day. With more than 20 million customers, even a small insight can help shape decisions at real scale.

I joined Barclays as an intern in the Digital App team in 2018. Eight years later, I’m a Director leading Deepening & Digital Intelligence. My role has changed a lot in that time, and so have the skills I rely on most.

Finding the story behind the data

My team looks at data from across Barclays UK to understand what’s happening in the business. That could mean analysing performance or looking at something happening within a product or platform, such as the Barclays App.

The interesting part is working out what the numbers actually mean. We need to connect the dots, understand what’s driving a trend and turn that into something people can act on.
That matters because the decisions informed by our work can shape the products and experiences customers use every day.

Earlier in my career, I was very focused on the technical side. Over time, I’ve learnt that brilliant analysis only gets you so far. You also need to explain why it matters and what you think should happen next. At a time when data plays a part in almost every decision we make, that’s become one of the most valuable skills I’ve developed.

Shaping bigger decisions

One of the highlights of my career was supporting the development of a significant ten-year strategic plan for Barclays UK. I worked with senior stakeholders from across the organisation and presented insights to the Barclays UK Executive Committee. Seeing our analysis help shape long-term decisions and strategic investment showed me just how far the impact of this kind of work can reach.

When I think back to starting as an intern, I’ve been trusted with increasingly challenging work throughout my career. I’ve developed technical skills, including coding, but I’ve also become a stronger communicator and leader.

Still learning what data can unlock

The breadth of work is one of the things that keeps analytics interesting. One day we might be looking at investment decisions, another at digital journeys or how customers interact with Barclays over time.

My advice to someone joining Barclays would be to stay curious and put yourself out there. Ask the question you think sounds silly. Get to know the people around you. Be willing to learn as you go. You don’t need to arrive with everything figured out. I certainly didn’t.

With more than 20 million customers, even a small insight can help shape decisions at real scale.