Nicky Klein
Chief Data Officer - Direct Line Group

- How did you get into data and technology, and why?
I was working for a university in their marketing and recruitment team, and through that, I ended up working with data. I thought it was quite cool because I knew things about the organisation that the people who were running it didn’t know – I thought that was really exciting.
- What motivates you on a daily basis – what gets you up in the morning?
The best thing about my job is getting to work with great, energetic people. I also really like the puzzle part of my role and the fact that it’s quite difficult – it’s a love/hate thing.
- Has there been a turning point in your career?
I spent a few years living and working in India and that was a really transformational time for me. I went there as someone who had some experience and I left knowing that I’d learnt to build a team and be a leader – it was the first time that I really realised how important it was for me to be a role model for the team.
- How do you feel about doing things differently?
Looking back, I realise I have constantly taken jobs that have pushed me out of my comfort zone, in fact most of the time I’m not in my comfort zone! You grow the most when you are pushing yourself.