Haydn Durrant is Data Curious
Welcome to Data Curious the online home of Haydn Durrant
I am a Data & Analytics Change & Delivery Leader, Consultant and Mentor with over 26 years’ experience in consulting on, shaping and delivering measurable value through enhanced data management, data governance, data-driven decision-making, automation and AI.
Working for various professional services organisations and as an independent consultant, I have successfully facilitated data success stories for public, private and regulatory clients across the UK.
On this website, you will find out more about what I do, together with a growing collection of blog articles where I share my thoughts on how organisations can overcome the challenges of establishing data-driven cultures.
If you are also Data Curious, it would be great to hear any comments you may have around my blog articles. And if you or your organisation need any help defining or implementing your data and AI strategy, please get in touch to arrange a time for an introductory chat.
My Data Curious Story so far…
I studied Information Systems Management at Bournemouth University back in the late Nineties. I chose this course as it was preparing people to act as the bridge between the Business and IT. I wanted to work in IT but definitely wasn’t a Techie so this felt like a good way to go. It was here that I first became aware of Data Warehouses and I was intrigued by the idea of pulling data from across the business to support improved decision making. It just felt more interesting than transaction processing systems and networking. I experienced my first Data Warehouse delivery project working as a Business Systems Analyst with the super talented data team at Glaxo Wellcome during my placement year, where I learnt about Ralph Kimball and Star Schemas.
After graduation I joined a small, specialist data consultancy called Phusis where we delivered data and analytics solutions utilising technologies like SQL Server, Microstrategy and Business Objects for clients like GSK, DHL Express, British American Tobacco, Markel International and Brit Insurance. It was during my time here that I learnt that success and value were not determined by how many reports you deliver to the business, but that answering a single key question for the right person at the right time could justify the investment in a data project.
After I left Phusis I worked for 10 years as an independent Data Consultant where I continued to bang the drum for business value driven solutions. During this time I helped a group of London Borough Councils to refocus their Data delivery efforts to focus on service improvements and cost savings, contributed to the Data Migration work stream for British American Tobacco on what at the time was the largest SAP rollout in the world, and helped the Rank Group to establish a Single Customer View and Campaign Management Platform. It was during my time at Rank that I experienced the power of Data Science as they developed and rolled out models to support customer retention and revenue growth. It was also whilst at Rank that I met Adatis.
I joined Adatis in 2018 and during my 7 years there I successfully managed their first multi-million pound single project with The Pension Regulator, steered the relationship with one of their longest running clients, Spirax, whilst also working with clients like IFGL, Barratt Homes, the Pension Protection Fund and Laing O’Rourke. More latterly, I joined the Leadership Team to help focus on strategic growth. Initially, looking after the fledgling areas of Power BI, Data Science and Business Consulting, to support and steer the ‘heads of’ in those areas. More recently, I have been part of the drive to elevate engagements with clients to have more strategic, benefit based conversations.
I am now, once again an independent consultant, focussed on working with clients to help them adopt a strategic, transformational approach to becoming more data driven. People tell me that I am very good at getting sh!t done. I continue to be fascinated with the challenge of helping customers to achieve measurable ROI from their investments in data. I am committed to both continuous learning and sharing what I have learnt with others. I have setup Data Curious as a place where I can share my thoughts on data related topics and hopefully motivate others to share their thoughts with me.
You may also have noticed from the pictures that when I’m not delivering data solutions or talking/writing about Data, I quite enjoy mountain biking.
I live in Berkshire with Becky (wife), Maya (daughter), Jack (son), Willow & Minnie (mardy cats), Rocky (tortoise) and a small dog call Moose.
