Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
References
Timeline
Generic

Istaque Faisal

London

Summary

I’m a practical and detail-driven operations and analytics professional with a strong foundation in data tools (Python, Excel, SQL, Power BI) and a proven ability to support reporting, compliance, and workflow optimization across financial and non-financial teams.

My experience spans operations analyst roles, fund reporting, asset transfers, and data science projects — giving me a well-rounded perspective on data-driven business support. I’ve completed CFA Level 1 and delivered a range of reporting and analytics projects that turn complex data into clear, actionable insight.

After exploring a range of roles and strengthening my technical and operational capabilities, I’m now focused on securing a position where I can contribute consistently and build lasting impact. A portfolio of selected analytics projects is included in the relevant section below via the GitHub link.

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience

Work history

Operations Analyst (3-Month Contract)

Global Innovation Fund
London
06.2025 - Current
  • Analyse and optimise business workflows across departments to boost efficiency and cut operational costs.
  • Design and implement scalable operational processes and performance metrics.
  • Collect, clean, and analyse large datasets from various sources to generate actionable insights.
  • Build dashboards and reports using tools like Excel, Power BI, or Tableau for strategic decision-making.
  • Monitor KPIs to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for the business.
  • Assist the finance team with preparing budgets, forecasts, and variance analyses.
  • Conduct cost-benefit and profitability analyses for projects, products, or departments.
  • Reconcile data between finance and operational systems, recommending financial process improvements.
  • Maintain and support business systems (CRM/databases) and assist with scripting or automation tasks (Excel macros, SQL queries).

Junior Technical Consultant (Jr. Data Scientist)

Transparity
Reading (Fully Remote)
09.2023 - 01.2025
  • Collected, processed, and integrated data from various sources.
  • Conducted data cleaning and preparation to maintain dataset integrity.
  • Created and fine-tuned machine learning models to produce valuable insights.
  • Developed interactive visualisations for stakeholder presentations.
  • Delivered technical insights clearly and impactfully to non-technical stakeholders.
  • Worked with diverse teams to comprehend business needs and provide customised, data-driven solutions.
  • Utilized Visual Studio, MSSQL, Azure, and Python to develop comprehensive data solutions.
  • Proficient in Python and SQL for scripting, data manipulation, and solving complex problems.
  • Showcased problem-solving skills by enhancing models and processes.
  • Adaptable and proactive, excelling in time management to meet project deadlines.

Operations Analyst (Short-term)

Whitley Asset Management
London
05.2023 - 08.2023
  • Supported client onboarding, liaised with managers, and the compliance team, and maintained client records.
  • Assisted in CRM platform data management, prepared ad-hoc reports, and generated performance reports for intermediaries.
  • Assisted with trade execution, ensuring compliance with custodian processes.
  • Monitored timely trade settlements, corporate actions, and proxy voting for investment managers.
  • Monitored daily reports, updated pricing for non-liquid securities, and ensured accurate setup with custodians.
  • Performed MiFID II transaction reporting and served as the operations contact for funds.
  • Collaborated with internal teams to resolve data discrepancies, ensure reporting accuracy.

Digital Skills Bootcamp (12-week boot camp)

Just IT Training Ltd
London
01.2023 - 03.2023

Completed a 12-week intensive program in Data Technology to strengthen data capabilities and complement existing analytical expertise.
Covered key areas including:

  • Data structures, data governance, and big data concepts
  • Tableau and Power BI for interactive reporting
  • Database fundamentals (Access, non-relational data in Azure).
  • Core Azure data concepts and cloud fundamentals
  • Learned Python for data manipulation, transformation, and exploratory analysis
  • Built a capstone project using Python, SQL, and Power BI to solve a real-world reporting problem
  • Practiced data modeling and governance through structured exercises and versioned workflows

Product Governance Associate

Link Fund Solutions
London
06.2022 - 11.2022
  • Performed multiple data analyses to support the annual Value Assessment reports for investment funds
  • Conducted quality of service analysis by evaluating data from investment managers to rate services based on both quantitative and qualitative criteria
  • Led performance analysis using Morningstar, calculating statistical measures (e.g., mean, median, standard deviation) to assess fund performance
  • Delivered cost analysis by assessing Ongoing Charges Figures (OCF) and benchmarking them against comparable funds
  • Executed share class analysis to identify investors eligible for lower-cost share classes
  • Presented findings to the Value Assessment Committee and effectively defended ratings when challenged

Asset Transfer Associate

Raymond James Investment Services
London
02.2020 - 05.2022
  • Transfer of client accounts (in & out) including nominee, ISAs, pensions, Internal transfers/APS
  • Transfer of all asset classes including, but not limited to equities, bonds, funds, CREST
  • Process & monitor electronic transfers using Altus (auto re-registration system) and facilitate the trade and settlement process
  • Liaised with a Wealth Manager's office, reviewing transfer reports weekly and providing updates

Retail Pension Associate

Fidelity International
London
05.2018 - 01.2020
  • Thorough check of regulatory documentation received for in-specie transfer out application
  • Verification of valuation created for the receiving scheme and liaison with different parties to request outstanding documents
  • Provide support to SIPP cash transfer out team by verifying and processing transfer out requests both on paper and Online

Education

Azure Data Scientist Associates

Microsoft

Azure AI Fundamentals

Microsoft

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA Level1) - Economics, Analytics, statistics

CFA Institute

Bsc - Economics and Finance

University of Bologna

Github Portfolio -

Projects

Skills

  • Price elasticity modelling, revenue optimisation, and demand forecasting
  • A/B testing (classical and multivariate)
  • Time series models: ARIMA, SARIMA, Prophet
  • Supervised and unsupervised learning: XGBoost, Random Forest, K-means
  • Multiple linear regression, polynomial regression
  • Bayesian optimisation
  • Market basket analysis
  • Churn prediction modelling
  • Data analysis capabilities: Data extraction, Data cleaning, EDA, Insight extraction and Visualization
  • Coding & Analytical language and platforms: Python, SQL, DAX (Power BI), Azure
  • Language: Italian, English, Bengali

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Operations Analyst (3-Month Contract)

Global Innovation Fund
06.2025 - Current

Junior Technical Consultant (Jr. Data Scientist)

Transparity
09.2023 - 01.2025

Operations Analyst (Short-term)

Whitley Asset Management
05.2023 - 08.2023

Digital Skills Bootcamp (12-week boot camp)

Just IT Training Ltd
01.2023 - 03.2023

Product Governance Associate

Link Fund Solutions
06.2022 - 11.2022

Asset Transfer Associate

Raymond James Investment Services
02.2020 - 05.2022

Retail Pension Associate

Fidelity International
05.2018 - 01.2020

Azure Data Scientist Associates

Microsoft

Azure AI Fundamentals

Microsoft

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA Level1) - Economics, Analytics, statistics

CFA Institute

Bsc - Economics and Finance

University of Bologna

Github Portfolio -

Projects
Istaque Faisal