What do you do and what is it about your job that gets you out of bed in the morning?
I am the Product Director for EMEA, a lot of things I love about my job but a lot of it comes down to the purpose of our organisation, to make the world a safer, simpler place to transact online. My role means that every day I get to work with a fantastic product and commercial team who are doing just this. I don’t think I’ve had a single day in the past 5 years where I’ve been bored at work. The dynamic nature of our industry and the growth of GBG means that every day is different, and because of that, every day I learn something new.
How did you get to where you are today?
A combination of really hard work, an open mind and some fantastic managers and peers that have supported me. I lucked out when I stumbled across GBG, from the day I joined I have been pushed to do better and to progress. I’ve also moved roles quite a lot, and not in a linear way in a single field, over my time at GBG I’ve done a range of roles that have given me the opportunity to have a breadth of knowledge.
What is the most important lesson you have learned along the way?
To be open minded, and never say no to an opportunity. In my first month at GBG I got the opportunity to work on our first international acquisition, I had no experience in M&A and as a result I was nervous about it, but I jumped at the opportunity. It was a whirlwind of learning but also a chance to observe some of GBG’s executives drive change in the company – it was great to be a part of that!
What's your pitch to CEOs in the identity space? What do you suggest they START / STOP / CONTINUE doing and why?
- Start to think about what will constitute our identities in the future, as we become even more linked to digital devices, this digital footprint will become ever more important in helping us transact online.
- Stop thinking about match rates and think about confidence rates. Just matching data isn’t enough, and we need to focus on trust to really drive a safer digital world.
- Continue driving equality through identity, not all identities are created equal, and we need to make sure that as we develop and implement technologies we do so with diversity in mind.
In one sentence, why does diversity matter to you?
Because with only one perspective the world would be very dull, and that is true in identity too.
What book/film/piece of art would you recommend to your fellow members? Why?
Range by David Epstein. A manager once recommended this to me as I was unsure about “what I wanted be when I grew up”. It gives two perspectives on specialists and generalists and why both approaches work. And for any sports fans out there, the comparison between Roger Federer and Tiger Woods brings to life how different approaches can indeed be incredibly successful.
What advice would you give to the teenage 'you'?
Speak to as many working professionals as you can before you go to university – pick a subject that inspires you and you will use throughout your life….and if you don’t get the chance to do that, then be a data scientist – good ones are like gold dust!
Where can we find you on social media / the Web?
LinkedIn: Gus Tomlinson
Twitter: @Gus_GBGPLC