Anthea DeSyllas
Chief Solutions Officer - Polymatica

- How did you get into data and technology, and why?
Maths and science came very naturally to me throughout school. What I like about these subjects is that there’s usually a right and a wrong and it’s not subjective. Despite this, I’ve also had a pull in the opposite direction and I love the arts too! I always say that there’s an art to sciences and an art to data analytics and as things become more visual, I’m seeing that come into play.
- What’s the biggest challenge that you face in your role?
I’ve worked with all sorts of different people and I’ve learnt that you can’t change their personalities so you have to adapt and realise your own role within a team. The biggest hurdles are always related to building the right relationships – either in a team or with clients.
- How do you feel about doing things differently?
Achievement has been a massive driver in my career and I’ve always wanted to succeed, but I also love proving people wrong and doing what people don’t expect me to do. I’ve always thought that being one of the few girls in science was a bonus. At university I was the only girl in my engineering class. I never thought too much about being the only female in a male environment, I always thought it helped me as people would remember me because I’m different.
- What advice would you give to girls and young women interested in a career in data and technology?
Always play to your differences as this helps you to stand out and be memorable. It might not feel like it all the time, but being unique is a good thing. I look at companies and see boards full of men, yet at the company I’m working for right now, half of the leadership team is female. This is great because it makes us different. If you can be different, that’s a brilliant thing.