Akua Opong

"Akua works as a Senior Analyst within the Corporate Technology team at the London Stock Exchange Group. As part of her role, she mentors new starters in the team, including interns and graduates, and provides technical guidance to colleagues across the Group. Akua is process-driven and enjoys project work, as well as sharing knowledge through technical documentation.Outside of her main role, Akua is a keen diversity and inclusion advocate, a mental health champion Community Lead for the UK Charity Committee and LSEG’s Women’s Inspired Network. She is passionate about raising the profile of women in STEM, as a University of Surrey alumni, Cajigo Mentor, Youth Mentor and STEM Ambassador. Also, part of the Team London Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Volunteer Advisory Group and Advisory Board for Neurodiversity in Business (NiB).Akua is a neurodiversity advocate (self-identifies as Dyslexic and has ADHD), a fundraiser, Team London ambassador, Covid vaccination advocate plus a charity volunteer and a keen sports volunteer for Netball England and British Athletics. She has been featured in Investment Week, and Forbes provided STEM career talks at various educational institutions and has been a panellist for the One Tech World conference in 2021 discussing Harnessing Neurodiversity in Tech. In 2021, Akua was also featured in the Tech London Advocates the Voices in the shadows book, Awarded Highly Commended for Role Model of the Year: Financial Services at Women in Tech Excellence 2021, a TechWomen100 2021 winner through WeAreTheCity and most recently featured on the Involve Empower Future Leader Role Model List 2022."

"I work in Corporate Technology, supporting colleagues with their hardware, applications and providing second-line support on a daily basis. I am very process-driven and enjoy creating technical documentation. I have a methodical and analytical approach to problem-solving whilst maintaining the highest standards. I am passionate about technology with the ability to learn new technology and adapt to different situations. My willingness to work efficiently to build (acquire) knowledge on systems, hardware and software. Also, I have developed a broad knowledge and understanding of all aspects of computing, networking and troubleshooting skills.A Senior Analyst, working within the Desktop Services Team, in Corporate Technology at the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). This to effectively maintain IT hardware, software and service applications. Responsible for delivering timely and effective repairs to ensure optimal system performance and excellent customer satisfaction.Key Responsibilities-\tAccountable for solving incidents and handling problem management-\tTechnical Documentation and knowledge articles for Service Now-\tTrain new joiners and other staff membersBusiness Skills-\tExcellent communicator in technical to non-technical language and Team player-\tProject Management skills – plan, prioritise, time management and organisational skills-\tWork without supervision and show initiative-\tAbility to work under pressure and tight deadlines-\tCollaboration and networking with different levels of the business-\tKnowledge of existing and emerging technologies (self-study)-\tAnalytical – understand and review trends-\tProblem solver and a keen eye for detail-\tEducator/Trainer – develop junior team members, mentor and coach interns/graduatesTechnical Skills-\tContent Management Systems-\tMobile Device Management-\tTicketing tools-\tRemote Desktop tools-\tCloud Computing"

"Initially growing up I wanted to be a paediatrician, a medical practitioner specializing in children and their diseases. Then looked at working in the army in emergency response but with an IT intelligence role after University. I studied Business Studies with Sociology and Religious Studies/Philosophy. Followed by BSc (Honours) in Computing and IT (Sandwich Course) (2:1) at the University of Surrey with a dissertation project developed a Smart Key Concept. I completed a wonderful work placement with Infrastructure Support for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd.My first role was in retail part-time alongside my studies but I have over 8 years of experience working in IT in different industries from Hospitality, Consulting to Financial Services. I worked part-time throughout my studies and then had a part-time job alongside my IT roles. I wanted to be independent and didn't want to rely on my parents; they always worked so hard and deserved to stand on my own two feet to cover my tuition fees. My first IT job was supporting the Dubai Royal family across their UK properties, and I worked at Rathbones for nearly five years, then PA Consulting and fast forward to July 2019, I joined LSEG. At LSEG, I work in the Desktop Services Team within Corporate Technology, and it is very fast-paced, which I enjoy. When I graduated, I struggled to find a role in technology; I was told that I didn't have enough experience or needed IT certifications considering I just graduated with a four-year degree, including a year in industry. Thinking about having a student loan to pay, I looked at IT training programmes to join but preferred to get on-the-job training where I can study at the same time. I started working at Carphone Warehouse which later merged with Best Buy and now Geek Squad as a Sales Consultant, but everyone could see my technical skills. I was more focused on resolving queries rather than selling equipment. This enabled me to work on the queries that we would get daily or troubleshoot customer issues. Another difference in my early career, I rarely saw many women in Tech roles and fewer black women. It did make me fear how could I progress going forwards. I was mainly the first or sometimes only black woman in the team for every job that I joined."

"Outside of my day-to-day role, I am part of the Women’s Inspired Network, Accessibility Network UK lead, Mental Health Champion (first aider), Neurodiversity in Business (Board Advisor) and help assist school children with business skills and mentoring through Cajigo Tech100 Women mentoring programming and the Girl's Network. This allows me to focus on my passion for Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. My key hobbies and interests are sports and charity volunteering through Crohn’s, British Athletics, Netball England and the Team London ambassador programme. I actually have been assigned a role to work at the Invictus games and with the men's/women's Euros and Commonwealth games in Birmingham. My aim on the sports volunteering side is to do a full cycle of major events. I enjoy travelling, the feature and outdoor activities. In my downtime, I love reading a mixture of development, thought-provoking books from Michelle Obama Becoming, Untamed Glenn Doyle, Emotional Intelligence and feminist books. I recommend She Speaks: The power of women’s voices by Yvette Cooper.I recommend the film Hidden Fgures as this focuses on three trailblazing women in STEM. One, in particular, Katherine Johnson the mathematician that worked for NASA once said “I was excited at something new, always liked something new, but give credit to everybody who helped. I didn't do anything alone but try to go to the root of the question and succeeded there.”"

"Each day is different; I like to plan my day using the Pomodoro technique, where I focus on the challenging tasks first and then work on the simple tasks. This involves providing support to new starters with their IT setup, assisting a user with application queries, providing access to applications, remote or desk-side assistance pre-Covid. I sometimes work on the tech bar to resolve technical questions, set up mobile devices, configure IT hardware such as laptops, or respond to help \"how do I query?\" My key responsibility is providing second-line support act a point of escalation for queries that the Service Desk team cannot resolve.I have the responsibility of acting as a point of escalation for the Service Desk team, Joiners/Movers/Maternity/Leavers, IT Inductions, Knowledge Creation, Hybrid Working, Laptop Deployments, Return to Office, IT Legacy Equipment and Charity Giving Projects.I work very closely with the internal stakeholders, other Technology teams, Procurement, Finance, Project teams and external suppliers. This enables me to ensure that the IT equipment is replenished and procured and IT hardware is provided to our client base in a timely manner. All IT hardware is stored in our inventory register, cost is charged via finance and added to the asset management database on Service Now. All IT equipment is covered and repaired under warranty with the remaining damaged equipment disposed of under the WEEE directive and as per the LSEG sustainability social impact requirements.My work in introducing new IT procedures, volunteering and working with schools helped me to achieve the ‘CEO Inspiration Award 2020’ at the London Stock Exchange Group’s annual awards."

"I achieved 11 GCSEs, 3 A levels (Business Studies, Religious Studies/Philosophy) and a BSc (Hons) in Computing and IT four-year degree at the University of Surrey.Other Technical Qualifications include:- ITIL v4 (Axelos)- Change Management (APMG)- Microsoft Azure, Office 365 and Security, Compliance and Identity Fundamentals- ICAgile Certified Professional - Agile Coaching- AWS Cloud Practitioner - Working towards Prince2 and Agile PM- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate- Inclusive and Ethical Leadership Certificate"