SPEAKER INTERVIEW – Ahead of our Business Analysis Conference Europe, September 18 – 20 2023, in London we find out more about Jenny Gledhill a Senior Business Analyst at The University of Warwick. Jenny will speak on Monday the 18th of September at her group workshop, BA Assemble! Building a Superhero BA Team at the University of Warwick. #BA2023.

Tell me about yourself and how long you have been in a Business Analyst role.

I am a qualified Business Analyst and Change Management Practitioner, who over my career across several sectors have been involved in small-scale change initiatives to large-scale transformational programmes. I am passionate about Business Analysis as a profession and love nothing more than coaching and mentoring those around me to flourish in their own careers. 

In August last year, I was thrilled to achieve a lifelong ambition of giving back to the University where I had studied many years ago and joining the University of Warwick as a Senior Business Analyst. I joined at a time which allowed me, along with 3 other new Senior BAs, the opportunity to shape and build the BA function into what it is today.

Tell me about your presentation at the Business Analysis Conference 2023

The session, entitled ‘How to build a superhero BA team’ is designed to highlight the journey taken and the learnings found from developing a high-performing and successful Business Analysis function at the University of Warwick. It is a practical session where attendees will be able to understand the theory behind Tuckman’s model for nurturing a high-performing team. It will offer opportunities to practice tools and techniques that can they take away with them.

What are the highlights/key takeaways from your session?

Attendees can expect to take away an in-depth understanding of Tuckman’s Model, as well as an array of techniques, tools and exercises which they can then apply within their industries and organisations.  Additionally, they will gain insight into their own personality and core value drivers.

Do you have any future predictions for the role of Business analyst and perhaps the industry?

With a continued focus on data, and the advancement of AI and automation technologies, I can see greater asks from the BAs in navigating how such technologies can be deployed to generate value safely, ethically and legally. I think the future will see BAs needing to become more skilled in business architecture capabilities than ever before.

If you were not a (job title), what would you be doing?

I would be indulging in my second passion of baking, by owning a cake shop where I could spend my time baking and decorating cakes for all occasions.