Liz Somers
Keighley,North Yorkshire
Summary
Throughout my time at Skipton Building Society, I have worked across several areas of the organisation, including the People Team, Learning & Development, and Technical teams, before becoming a Senior Business Analyst in 2010. I have also held leadership responsibilities, been part of management teams, and worked within the branch network, where I regularly handled complex and sensitive personal data and issues.
Skipton supports employee volunteering, and each year staff are given dedicated time to contribute to community projects. I have taken part in this on many occasions, including helping to revamp the children’s ward at Airedale Hospital, planting trees, and supporting SEND children during activities at Nell Bank in Ilkley.
Prior to joining Skipton, I worked with horses, providing all aspects of their care. I have a strong personal interest in animal welfare.
I also have first-hand experience of domestic abuse and therefore have a deep understanding of the barriers and challenges faced by victims and survivors. To further support this understanding, I have completed a number of training courses related to domestic abuse and supporting those affected.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Senior Buisness Analyst
Skipton Building Society
Skipton, North Yorkshire
2000.06 - Current
- Collaborated with internal departments to integrate new solutions into the business strategy.
- Reviewed regulatory guidance ensuring compliance to industry standards.
- Written business requirements to formulate new processes.
- Streamlined business processes for increased efficiency.
- Coordinated training programmes for increased staff competency levels.
- Developed meaningful relationships with stakeholders to ensure alignment with goals.
- Conducted risk assessments to mitigate potential issues.
- Conducted SWOT analysis for better understanding of business needs.
- Facilitated change management initiatives, via formal meetings.
- Identified areas of improvement through detailed data/gap analysis.
- Led cross-functional team to successful project completion.
- Used Lean methodologies to re-engineer processes and increase overall productivity.
- Carried out root cause analysis of complex business challenges
- Worked on clear objectives and action plans.
- Interviewed staff to obtain personal observations and insights into existing strengths and weaknesses.
- Communicated with staff at all organisational levels and been party to sensitive data.
- Assisted teams with implementing new recommendations and revising instructions for staff.
Education
Own My Life - Domestic Abuse
The Women's Liberation
Sunderland 2025.01 - 2025.03
Healthy Relationships - Domestic Abuse
Independent Domestic Abuse Services
Skipton, North Yorkshire 2023.04 - 2023.06
BTEC National Diploma in Equine Studies - Animal Care
Craven College
Skipton, North Yorkshire 1998.09 - 2000.06
Level 3 Diploma in Animal Care - Animal Care
Stonebridge Associated College
London 2009.09 - 2011.06
Level 3 Certificate in First Line Management - Business Leadership & Management
Institute of Leadership & Management
Lichfield 2003.09 - 2005.05
Advanced Modern Apprenticeship in Customer Service - Customer Service/Administration
Craven College
Skipton, North Yorkshire 2003.09 - 2005.02
Certificate of Lean Competency 1A and 1B - Lean Methodology
Cardiff University
Cardiff 2011.06 - 2012.03
MS Pro Clarity Analyst - Microsoft
Microsoft
Leeds 2009.06 - 2009.07
Diploma in Business Analyst - Business Analysis
The Chartered Institute for IT
Swindon 2010.10 - 2011.07
Skills
- Dedicated, self driven and ability to work independently
- Skilled at managing multiple tasks
- Strong communication skills
- Fostering/building meaningful relationships with colleagues and clients
- Extensive self organisational skills
- Analytical decision maker
- Open, responsive and adaptable to change
- Attuned to other's emotions and supportive of others
- Skilled in dealing with complex sensitive situations and data
- Agile/Waterfall/Data Modelling and methodology
- Business process modelling and financial analysis
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Stakeholder management
- Azure/Miro IT systems all Microsoft applications
- Requirements gathering
- SWOT/Root Cause/Change Analysis
- Change management frameworks/facilitation
- Leadership effectiveness
- Experience of Volunteering
Affiliations
- I am an experienced horse rider and I like to ride/care and compete in my spare time. I also have numerous small animals who I also like to look after and care for.
Accomplishments
I won a volunteer of the year award at Skipton Building Society for work that I carried out with IDAS and was awarded a monetary value to gift to them.
Timeline
Own My Life - Domestic Abuse
The Women's Liberation
2025.01 - 2025.03
Healthy Relationships - Domestic Abuse
Independent Domestic Abuse Services
2023.04 - 2023.06
Certificate of Lean Competency 1A and 1B - Lean Methodology
Cardiff University
2011.06 - 2012.03
Diploma in Business Analyst - Business Analysis
The Chartered Institute for IT
2010.10 - 2011.07
Level 3 Diploma in Animal Care - Animal Care
Stonebridge Associated College
2009.09 - 2011.06
MS Pro Clarity Analyst - Microsoft
Microsoft
2009.06 - 2009.07
Level 3 Certificate in First Line Management - Business Leadership & Management
Institute of Leadership & Management
2003.09 - 2005.05
Advanced Modern Apprenticeship in Customer Service - Customer Service/Administration
Craven College
2003.09 - 2005.02
Senior Buisness Analyst
Skipton Building Society
2000.06 - Current
BTEC National Diploma in Equine Studies - Animal Care
Craven College
1998.09 - 2000.06