Sam Farquharson
Summary
Data and Insight professional with extensive experience transforming data capability within the charity sector, combining strong technical expertise with a practical consultancy approach. I specialise in helping organisations improve the quality, accessibility and strategic use of their data by understanding business challenges, developing effective data solutions and translating complex information into clear, actionable insight.
In my current role at Carers First, I have led the development of a modern data platform, transforming fragmented spreadsheet-based reporting into a trusted Microsoft Fabric data warehouse and business intelligence environment. My experience spans supporter database integration, fundraising and income reporting, campaign analysis, CRM development, data governance, analytics and reporting strategy, enabling teams across the organisation to make more informed decisions.
Alongside my technical background in Power BI, SQL, data modelling and data architecture, I bring significant experience in stakeholder engagement, discovery, requirements gathering and continuous improvement. I regularly work with senior leaders, operational teams and external stakeholders to understand challenges, identify opportunities and deliver practical, sustainable improvements.
I am passionate about helping purpose-driven organisations make better use of their data. I combine analytical thinking, technical expertise and strong communication skills to bridge the gap between data teams and decision makers, ensuring insight leads to meaningful action.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Digital & Data Manager
Carers First
10.2023 - Current
- Led the transformation of Carers First's data capability, replacing fragmented spreadsheet-based reporting with a Microsoft Fabric data platform and trusted reporting environment supporting fundraising, operations and strategic decision-making.
- Designed and implemented a modern data architecture integrating multiple organisational systems including Beacon, HubSpot, Bluebox, Moorepay, SharePoint, finance systems and digital engagement data, creating a trusted source of organisational insight.
- Created modern data infrastructure, provided trusted insight, enhanced data governance, and collaborated with stakeholders to facilitate evidence-based decision-making.
- Developed over 40 Power BI reports and dashboards across multiple business areas, structured into Power BI Apps for different audiences, alongside an extensive suite of automated paginated reports delivering daily, weekly and monthly operational insight.
- Reduced quarterly locality reporting processes from several days of manual data collection, reconciliation and verification to an automated reporting approach, improving efficiency, accuracy and confidence in organisational figures.
- Delivered fundraising and supporter insight through database reporting, income analysis, campaign evaluation and engagement analysis, helping teams understand performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Supported over 130 staff across eight locations with reporting and analytical insight, enhancing decision-making for operational managers, senior leadership, CEO, Executive Leadership Team and external stakeholders.
- Work collaboratively with fundraising, communications, operations and corporate teams to understand challenges, gather requirements and develop practical reporting solutions suited to different audiences and levels of technical confidence.
- Enhanced organisational data quality by identifying issues such as incomplete demographic information and inconsistent processes, implementing improvements to data structures, documentation and reporting practices.
- Developed data governance practices that included GDPR compliance, data dictionaries, documentation standards, permission management and version-controlled development processes.
- Introduced AI-assisted development practices using Microsoft Copilot, Claude and NotebookLM, reducing documentation effort by approximately 70% while accelerating report development, analysis and solution design.
- Provided Power BI training and support, empowering managers to effectively use self-service reporting tools, including dashboards and interactive filtering, to independently address business questions.
- Lead the charity's data and business intelligence function, supporting fundraising, marketing, service delivery and corporate teams to improve the quality, accessibility and strategic use of data.
- Technical Environment: Microsoft Fabric | Power BI | SQL Server | Azure SQL | DAX | Power Query | Python | APIs | Power Automate | Beacon | Salesforce | HubSpot | Bluebox | SharePoint | Excel
Lean Practitioner
Student Loans Company
10.2022 - 06.2023
- Delivered continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Six Sigma methodologies, combining data analysis, stakeholder engagement and structured problem solving to improve organisational performance.
- Led cross-functional improvement projects focused on identifying inefficiencies, improving processes and delivering measurable operational improvements.
- Facilitated workshops and stakeholder discussions to analyse business challenges and formulate practical solutions.
- Utilised analytical techniques to identify root causes and evaluate performance, supporting targeted recommendations.
- Developed improvement proposals and implementation plans in collaboration with teams to drive sustainable change.
Service Improvement Manager
Kura
10.2020 - 10.2022
- Led service improvement activity across operational teams, using performance analysis, stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement methodologies to improve service delivery and customer outcomes.
- Analysed operational performance data to identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities, presenting findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
- Facilitated workshops with clients, operational teams and support functions to understand challenges and develop effective solutions.
- Designed improved reporting, documentation and training approaches to increase consistency and operational effectiveness.
- Produced clear management reporting, translating complex information into actionable insight.
Team Leader – Customer Experience & Digital Operations
Webhelp / Teleperformance (Sainsbury's Account)
03.2018 - 10.2020
- Progressed through leadership roles managing customer experience teams across telephony, social media and digital communication channels.
- Managed operational teams through significant organisational change, maintaining performance during supplier transition and TUPE processes.
- Produced performance reporting and analysis to support operational decision-making.
- Built strong relationships with clients, senior stakeholders and internal teams to improve service delivery.
- Developed colleagues through coaching, performance analysis and structured improvement plans.
Customer Service Advisor
Teleperformance (Sainsbury's Account)
10.2014 - 03.2018
- Developed strong customer service, communication and analytical skills, progressing into leadership responsibilities including coaching, quality assurance, reporting and team development.
Education
Six Sigma Green Belt -
11-2021
BA/BSc (Hons) Open Degree -
Business Management
01-2023
Advanced Higher Mathematics -
Higher Administration -
Higher Information Systems -
Higher English -
Higher Chemistry -
Skills
- Data Analytics & Insight
- Business Intelligence & Visualisation
- Data Transformation Leadership
- Data Engineering
- Data Discovery & Consultancy
- Data Governance
- GDPR
- Microsoft Fabric
- SQL Server
- Power BI
- DAX
- Power Query
- Paginated Reports
- Semantic Modelling
- ETL
- APIs
- Python
- Automation solutions
- AI innovation
- Salesforce
- HubSpot
- Bluebox
- SharePoint
- Lean Six Sigma
- Agile Delivery
- Fundraising strategy
- Continuous Improvement
Timeline
Digital & Data Manager
Carers First
10.2023 - Current
Lean Practitioner
Student Loans Company
10.2022 - 06.2023
Service Improvement Manager
Kura
10.2020 - 10.2022
Team Leader – Customer Experience & Digital Operations
Webhelp / Teleperformance (Sainsbury's Account)
03.2018 - 10.2020
Customer Service Advisor
Teleperformance (Sainsbury's Account)
10.2014 - 03.2018
Six Sigma Green Belt -
BA/BSc (Hons) Open Degree -
Business Management