Helen Crooks
Chief Data Officer - Lloyd's of London

- What is your role at work?
Lloyds of London is the commercial insurance market that operates out of the City of London and my day-to-day role involves looking after all the data that passes through the market.
- How has a setback or obstacle shaped you?
If you’re working in an industry like data and tech where things are challenging, there will always be obstacles. Even with the support of lots of friends I’ve made along the way, there will always be personal challenges and you just have to pick yourself up and carry on.
- How do you feel about doing things differently?
I’ve always been explorative, not just in my career but my personal life too. I come from a farming background – with wellies and chickens, and I was the first person in my family to go to university. In my teenage years it was always a case of trying different things. It’s not about being brave, it’s about understanding there is a whole world outside of your locality.
- How important is to have other passions in your life?
I was one of three girls which meant for me there was no gender boundary and our dad encouraged us to try sailing or fishing – and we just did it all. I like to do lots outside of work, I’ve had a glider pilot’s licence, I’m a qualified skipper and I’m currently spending time racing cars in something called Rallycross. When you’re working with data and tech all the time there’s a real tendency to get sucked into the technical problems. Doing things outside of your job brings you back to reality and makes you think about why you’re doing it.