We are extremely proud to partner with Women in Data®. Nationwide is building a truly inclusive culture where everyone can thrive and for our organisation to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.
We look for a diverse range of backgrounds, skills, and experiences, to deliver brilliant customer experiences and make a meaningful impact for customers, businesses and communities across the UK. We’re continually striving to be a welcoming, inclusive workplace. We want every colleague to know that they are a valued and important part of our community.
We want our working lives to count. As a team, we celebrate what we achieve. As a standard setter, we work for the good of customers, businesses and communities across the UK.
Data is integral to our business operations. The emerging capabilities across machine learning and artificial intelligence offer a hugely exciting opportunity to transform customer service and experience. Customers will benefit from enhanced personalised experiences, faster service, and improved data security, instilling greater trust. Whereas colleagues will have better access to high quality information and insights through data-driven decision-making tools, including Generative AI solutions. Robust data management is crucial and underpins the ability to deliver customer value and safely utilise these advanced capabilities.
Nationwide is the world’s largest building Society and the UK’s first full-service mutual banking provider, with over 25,000 colleagues driven by a purpose and set to support 24 million customers.
A good way to bank
Unlike the banks we are owned by our members, not shareholders. That’s anyone who banks, saves or has a mortgage with us. Which means we can always focus on what’s best for them. It’s our fundamental difference and what makes us a good way to bank.
Banking but fairer, more rewarding, and for the good of society.
Hi there! My name is Sian McHenry, and I head up Enterprise Data Governance at Nationwide. Our function provides the framework, standards and enabling tooling to embed data management best practice enterprise wide.
I joined the Society in 2022 from Lloyds Banking Group where I helped to establish and run the Chief Data & Analytics Office. Over my career I have worked across the Financial Services sector including globally facing data and analytics roles at JP Morgan Chase & Standard and Poor’s.
I am a self-confessed data geek and am hugely passionate about using Data Management best practice to drive Business enablement & simplification. Outside of the office I am a full-time working mum of two amazing primary school aged children, which keeps me extremely busy!
I joined Nationwide as a permanent employee in 2022 after working as a contractor for Base 3 Systems Ltd for a year beforehand. I learned all things SAS at Base 3, and have applied and broadened those skills at Nationwide, while having the opportunity to explore other tools such as Teradata and Power BI. My day-to-day involves me providing reporting and analysis for the teams that support the Society’s most vulnerable customers, which is something I’m very passionate about.
Since becoming a member of Women in Data®, I have been endlessly inspired by the women in this community, and I am super excited to be bringing some of that magic to Nationwide. I am a lover of all things data and look forward to sharing in those interests with like-minded people!
About me
I’ve always loved problem-solving and puzzles, so a career in data may have seemed inevitable – however, after graduating with a BSc in mathematics I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. After a brief stint working behind a bar in a pub, I stumbled into a data career (long story!) which led to me joining Nationwide in September 2022.
I joined Nationwide as a Senior MI Analyst, before moving into my current role of Business Intelligence Consultant working within Retail Business Services. Working for a company as large as Nationwide meant I am constantly exposed to a lot of new people and systems, allowing me to always be learning, and getting me excited about future possibilities. I love being able to produce insight and add value using data, and seeing the stories that it can tell.
I joined the Women in Data® community whilst at a previous company as I didn’t have a local support network and was struggling to navigate a male dominated area. Hearing so many women sharing their stories really inspired me to not give up and encouraged me to find somewhere I could thrive.
My name is Deborah (Deb) Harthen, and I’m the lead for the Data Governance Enablement Team at Nationwide Building Society. The Enablement Team build stakeholder relationships across the business to sell the data story, and drive federated data governance adoption.
I joined the Society in 2004. During my Nationwide career I have worked in a number of business functions including front line customer support, IT Service Delivery, Programme Management (using both waterfall and agile methodologies), Security and Resilience, and I joined the world of Data Governance in March 2022. I’ve built up a broad knowledge of how our organisation works and how we use data across a range of business and technical processes.
I love learning and in October 2024 I passed achieved Master Level of the Data Management Fundamentals Exam, and I’m now looking to study two specialist areas. Outside of work I have lots of creative hobbies and I have two dogs that keep me active.
Hi! I’m Sadie Townsend, a Data Governance Manager in the Enablement Team at Nationwide Building Society. My role is to collaborate with key stakeholders across the organisation to build awareness of the Data Governance Policy & Controls and to enable sustainable data management best practice.
I joined the Society in 2013 in the Contact Centre, seeing first-hand how data can impact customers. I then started my role in the Data Governance team in 2019 writing minutes for our Data Governance Council and found a passion for the topic! I’ve recently obtained a DCAM certification with the Enterprise Data Management Council (EDMC) and plan to become a more involved member of this association.
Outside of work, I train kickboxing and have 2 dogs; a working Labrador and a sassy Rottweiler who keep me busy!
Hi, I’m Sharon Bellwood, a Senior Manager in Data Governance in the Data Governance Enablement Team at Nationwide Building Society. My focus is on supporting the Retail Function in implementing the data governance policy and controls. With my expertise, I strive to highlight the significance of effective data management and ensure that our practices resonate with key stakeholders.
I am passionate about leveraging data to drive customer engagement along with effective decision-making and governance. I joined Nationwide Building Society in 2023, bringing with me experience from both the Utilities and Financial Services sectors. In my previous role, I was responsible for the design and implementation of the data governance policy and along with the ownership of all asset data management. During this time, I supported both a customer data migration with the use of master data management technology, along with an asset data migration to build and support a digital twin to enable proactive maintenance.
My range of experience in data covers everything from data strategies to support business strategic goals, to data warehouse design and implementation, along with designing and implementing data analytics for both performance and forecast modelling. I have held several senior data roles, which has included leading technical teams, large scale data migrations, and financial system forensics analysis.
I am a data enthusiast; my goal is to influence strategy using data management to enhance customer experiences and improving business efficiencies. Outside of work, family is important to me. I have two grown up children Lewis & Megan, and Oscar our Lhasa Apso. I enjoy the gym and running but also love to cook.
Throughout my career at Nationwide, I have been involved in data in various capacities. Interestingly, my original ambition since school was to become an art teacher and a corporate career, let alone one in data was certainly never part of my plan.
Over the years, one of the most significant challenges I have encountered is the common perception that data is for those with technical, mathematical, or scientific backgrounds. As a natural creative, I often questioned whether I truly belonged in this space. However, over the years I have learnt to recognise that my unique perspective is a strength rather than a limitation.
To anyone considering a career in data, my advice is simple: take the leap!
The data landscape is vast and full of opportunities. Never underestimate the power of data, it is the key to initiating meaningful conversations and driving those key strategic and business decisions.
What I appreciate most about the Women in Data® community is the sense of support and empowerment it offers. In a field that can often feel male-dominated, this community provides reassurance that there is space for brilliant women at every stage of their careers!
After graduating with a Biomedical Science degree in 2018, I still had no clear career direction. I moved back home to South Wales and took a temporary role at my local Nationwide branch while I figured things out—and the rest is history! Finding some spare time on my hands during COVID, I decided to pursue a second Bachelor’s degree in Data Science and after two years of balancing full-time work and study, I landed my first data analyst role in Nationwide’s buy-to-let mortgages team.
Since then, I’ve held various business intelligence roles, collaborating with product, risk, marketing, governance, finance, treasury, and operations teams to deliver end-to-end insights and data-driven recommendations. Coming from a small town in South Wales, I never knew a career in data was even a possibility. That’s why I’m passionate about supporting early data careers—whether through internships or mentoring young analysts. I actively challenge the misconception that you need to be a mathematical genius to succeed in data and advocate for making the field accessible to everyone, no matter your background!
I have always loved solving problems. As an engineering student, I got the opportunity to understand the use of science, data and analytics to overcome challenges. I started my career as a software engineer and over 15 years have played numerous roles in technology and financial services.
What I love about working in data is its power to narrate a compelling story and its use to solve real business problems objectively.
The biggest challenge, as well as opportunity, in working in data is the pace of evolution in this field. I overcome this challenge by upskilling myself, making use of online training material, certifications, being part of industry conferences and most importantly experimenting & getting my hands dirty with the latest AI tools & products; it’s the best way to learn.
My advice to women entering the field is to ‘Go for it!’. Now is the most exciting time to enter data, AI and analytics. AI and technology are democratising the landscape and young women should take advantage of the reduced barrier to entry in the field of AI & data. I would also encourage them to join Women in data. I love being part of the community as it helps me connect to and share diverse perspectives with women from other industries. There is nothing more powerful than collaborating with a tribe of like-minded women!
Hi! I’m Josie McAteer, a Senior Analyst at Virgin Money. Outside of work, I have a daughter and a partner — our hobbies include going for hikes and eating good food!
A bit about my work journey: I started in the Nationwide contact centre in 2017 with no real idea of what I wanted to pursue career‑wise. That changed when I joined Nationwide’s Technology Development Programme in 2020, which opened the door to data. By 2021, I became a Data Engineer at just 21 years old. In early 2025, I moved to Virgin Money to continue building my career in this exciting field.
In my career, I’ve faced challenges being the only woman in a team. At times, I felt isolated, but connecting with the Women in Data® community gave me the support and shared experiences I needed. It reminded me that we all belong here and that having a strong network is invaluable.
My advice: you belong in every room you enter — believe in yourself and the knowledge you bring.
My main aim is to inspire a new generation of women in data and to let younger people know that this is an achievable career path for everyone.
I am a leader committed to empowering women and fostering inclusive growth within the workplace. Known for my approachable leadership style and steady support, I aim to inspire confidence by encouraging colleagues to embrace new opportunities and contribute meaningfully to the data and technology space.
My vision is rooted in collaboration and collective progress. By inviting women to join data‑driven initiatives, I champion the belief that diverse teams drive innovation and create lasting impact. Beyond my internal leadership, I actively cultivate partnerships with external experts and organizations, bringing valuable resources and fresh perspectives to my colleagues. Through these collaborations, I ensure my team has access to professional development opportunities and leadership coaching that strengthen both individual and collective success.
With a focus on mentorship, encouragement, and strategic foresight, I strive to lead with purpose. My dedication to nurturing talent and building bridges across communities I hope inspires those around me, and I hope to serve as a positive role model for women in leadership.
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