Karen Smith

Karen is a Managing Director of Enterprise Data & Analytics in the UK and has over 20 years experience in data both solutioning and delivering, primarily in financial services. Karen has extensive experience in the delivery of enterprise data platforms and complex data analytics programmes.

Representative engagements

Master Data Management

• Karen was a delivery partner leading a team of over 200 resources (on and offshore) to implement an Enterprise Data Warehouse and the integration of previous in-house attempts at a global Bank. Led and directed the creation of a framework delivery method specifically designed and created to improve the delivery of data models and ETL. This framework delivery method proved to reduce delivery time and complexity.
• Led a team to perform technical review of all sizeable data programmes in UKI for technical and delivery assurance at a global banking institution
• Karen managed data migration projects for a cloud services provider, providing the required migration to SAP from legacy systems. Karen utilised technical SAP LSMW knowledge and applications' knowledge along with business knowledge to manage data migration.

Data Platform Solutions 

• Implemented data platform solutions for a financial services client to provide regulatory reporting putting data on Hadoop in the Cloud.
• Worked with a Bank’s CIO to review and take ownership of critical in-flight projects for their organisation. She identified quick wins and provided internal challenge to lead the data proposal to the bank, moving away from traditional Enterprise Data Warehouse platform, to ultimately deliver a scalable and fit for the future solution.

IT and Compliance

• Served as delivery executive for an insurance client. Her role was to implement systems and data architecture to ensure that the client was compliant with Solvency II. Karen took responsibility for the management and coordination of third-party organisations and offshore resources. 
• Karen had primary responsibility at a Pharmaceutical company across pan European projects (IT and Business), with a focus on ensuring compliance and regulations adhered to. She ensured successful delivery of warehouse consolidation projects across 11 countries, affirming compliance with Federal Drug Administration requirements, on time and on budget with no disruption of the business.
• For a British Consumer Finance Company, Karen took responsibility for the strategic development of IT to support and maximise business benefit from IT strategies. She implemented project methodology based around PRINCE2, PMI and SAP methodologies.

Areas of expertise

• Data Analytics
• Data Migration
• Data Platform Solutions
• Project Management
• Information Technology

Industry Expertise

• Financial Services
• Pharmaceuticals
• Retail
• Education
• Insurance
• Human Resources

Education

• ACCA in Accountancy, Nottingham University
• Said Postgraduate Diploma Advanced Strategy – Oxford University