I come from a services background, having spent 22 years in the Indian Army's Core Signals Unit. After retiring, I took on my first corporate role with a leading crypto investment organisation where I led their Governance, Risk & Compliance for Information Security, set up processes, and spearheaded their journey towards getting ISO certified, making them the only Indian exchange with ISO 27001:2022.
My experiences as a woman officer in the Indian Army brought some of the most significant moments in my career. Women were first introduced into the army in 1993, and I graduated from my academy in 2000 as part of the 15th batch, which was still relatively early. Being one of the first female officers brought many firsts: for example, when I received my first posting, I was assigned to an infantry division where no woman officer had served before.
The challenges of being a pioneer developed my innate confidence over the years. One standout experience was when I went on a UN mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2004. It was a stark contrast to life in India, as I had to navigate living alone in a remote village without basic amenities like electricity and running water. Being stationed on a Peace Keeping Mission in an active area of action brought considerable danger. This experience instilled a deep sense of resilience.
My decision to transition into the corporate world was primarily fuelled by my excitement to get onboard the evolving digital economy in our country, and partly to provide more stability for my growing children.
Fast forward to today, and here I am at Lloyds Technology Centre, building one of the largest technology innovation hubs in India.
The Army gave me first-hand experience and expertise in cyber-security which I am able to transfer to the corporate world, along with the discipline and dedication instilled in me by the services. Beginning my journey with a startup gave me the experience of embedding security in the foundation of a new organisation. Lloyds Technology Centre offers a similar but massive and exciting startup opportunity, so it felt like a natural next step for me.
India's fintech sector is progressing at quite a pace, with numerous startups and organisations taking on fintech innovations. Talent is abundant in Hyderabad, making it a perfect strategic location that enables Lloyds Technology Centre to contribute immensely to the enriching fintech journey in India.
For us, providing services to Lloyds Banking Group isn’t just about being technically skilled - it's about managing risks, ensuring regulatory compliance, and protecting our customers. That's why I believe it's essential to prioritise these aspects and integrate them into our processes from the beginning.
The move to Hyderabad wasn’t always part of my plans. However, when I learned about Lloyds Technology Centre, I became curious and decided to explore the opportunity. The recruitment process was very well-structured. The interviews were particularly technical and conducted by a mix of interviewers from across the Group. It gave me a good idea of what was waiting in future, and the opportunity excited me.
Lloyds Technology Centre provides an extensive induction module for all new joiners, with a comprehensive overview of the Group’s operations and values. These interactive on-site sessions are very helpful for newcomers to understand and embrace the culture and strong organisational values. Additionally, online role-specific training is assigned to support each colleague’s transition into their team and role.
In my opinion, the company values are distinct, yet perfectly congruent: we believe in putting people first, being inclusive, trusting each other, practising sustainability and being bold. Lloyds Technology Centre is a bold venture, and our organisation demonstrates these values every day. In the long run, we aim to create a value centre rather than just a cost centre.
"People first" is another great example. Whether it's dealing with colleagues or customers, empathy and understanding of diverse perspectives is vital. This mindset promotes innovative and progressive solutions. Within Lloyds Banking Group, the continued dedication and commitment of colleagues over the years serve as a testament to the culture now being passed on to Lloyds Technology Centre.
I strongly believe in the power of inclusivity: every individual should have a fair chance based on their skills, irrespective of gender or background. It’s about fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and embrace varied perspectives.
Building a lasting culture that reflects our values is a big responsibility which takes time and effort. I can see that there's a clear vision to build a culture based on our values. It's encouraging to see the complete leadership team, along with everyone else involved, emphasising these values from the beginning. I'm impressed by the leadership team’s dedication and passion. Our CEO is very approachable and clear in her vision, and the Group Chief Operating Officer has a truly inspiring and remarkable vision for Lloyds Technology Centre. Our Head of Risk and Information Security particularly stands out for his commitment to ensuring the build process is optimised and secure from the foundation up. Being part of the early stages gives us the opportunity to embed and bring the culture to life. As we continue to grow, I believe we'll see our vision materialise into the kind of organisation we aspire to create.
Looking ahead, I'm excited about the potential for growth and innovation at Lloyds Technology Centre. I believe we have an advantage in starting our build at the beginning of an era of emerging technology and artificial intelligence which will help us to develop state-of-the-art systems. I look forward to delivering ground-breaking applications and technical solutions through Lloyds Technology Centre which can redefine Lloyds Banking Group and stand out in the financial services sector.
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