Consultant of the Month – January 2018

Each month, talented FDM consultants on-site are recognised by their line managers for going above and beyond in in their role.  Congratulations to the January Consultant of the Month winners! Could it be you next month?

Leon Yang (APAC)

Software Developer, Standard Chartered Bank, University of Sydney

“I graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science. FDM was the best place for me to start my career as a software developer working in the financial industry. I found that FDM creates an environment that pushes you to keep learning. I am now responsible for Middleware Integration, which is a great opportunity for me to boost my coding skills and financial literacy. Building an efficient system to handle the large amount of financial market data flow within the bank has been a challenge for me, so I appreciate FDM honouring me with this award. I’ll keep striving to do my best!”

“Leon has only been with us for a few months and has already joined one project from the middle that he quickly took ownership of. He fixed a blocker issue almost all by himself that was pending for months. The programming and research skills he possesses are outstanding, along with his other contributions that have been exceeding our expectations.”

• Senior Development Manager, Standard Chartered Bank

Scott Walton (UK)

Digital Content Developer and Deployment Co-Ordinator, HSBC, Leeds Metropolitan University

“I studied Games Design at Leeds Metropolitan University and then went into retail for six years. When the opportunity at FDM came around, I went for it, a complete career change. I went onto the development stream in 2016 and I am now working at HSBC. My role is split, one part is being a developer, where I make changes for HSBC, Marks and Spencer and First Direct public websites. My other role is as a deployment coordinator; I coordinate releases through different environments and liaise with marketing, testing and developers to manage different parts of the projects. My life has been completely changed by FDM and I am happy to be on a 16 month and counting placement in my hometown of Leeds. When I found out I had won Consultant of the Month, I shouted and all my colleagues looked at me; they said it was well deserved. If I were to describe FDM in a few words, it’s a company that gives you the opportunity to change your life for the better.”

“Scott is a confident professional who has become an integral and invaluable member of our team. He is recognised across the business for his proactive and positive attitude by the way he is able to deliver any request changes to projects. The way he has adapted shows that he has a bright future ahead.”

• Deployment Co-ordinator, HSBC

Khushboo Gupta (US)

Data Consultant, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Pace University

“I started my first placement with FDM at BAML in January 2017. Now I am part of the Zinc Risk controls team which is more business/finance oriented in the technology department. I work with a team of eight people across the US and India where everyone has been extremely supportive and encouraging. My manager, along with his team not only put me under extensive job training during my early days, but also enabled me to take on more responsibilities as I progressed in my role. I would recommend FDM to others because it provides a platform to people who are looking for a technical career in their respective industries. The FDM model not only taught me the necessary skills and knowledge needed to attain a job, but also provided a fast-track entry into high profile IT and business career.”

“Khushboo is part of a team whose other half is located in India, which can be challenging at times with time-zone differences working on projects. However, her dedication and commitment has shone through in order to fulfill project deliverables. Regulatory reporting is probably the most crucial work being undertaken at this time in the bank and her daily publishing is helping to keep the necessary controls within limits. She has already begun training associates on the processes which shows she has great potential.”

• Support Manager, Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Namrata Rajyaguru (UK)

Group IT Projects and Application Development PMO, British Airways, Brunel University

“Currently, on-site I work in the Group IT Portfolio Management Office at British Airways. We manage the IT governance for delivery projects across all the operating companies of IAG such as BA, Iberia, IAG Cargo, etc. Most recently I’m working on the Integration Change Programme where I am the Communications Manager, so I deal with sending out communications to the entire IT community outlining process and software changes. I enjoy the wide range my role brings, one moment I can be communicating with the technical team and then liaising with senior stakeholders the next.

I would recommend FDM because they really open doors to clients that would be difficult to access otherwise, they provide a stepping stone into the world of big clients.”

“Namrata is one of the PMO Subject Matter Experts. She’s worked long, intensive hours achieving quality deliverables and clarified conflict of information. She is always willing to take on any challenge she is given, while continuously producing high quality work under significant pressure.”

• ICP Programme Manager, British Airways