Chris Oji

Risk Manager, Conduct Compliance and Operational Risk

Since joining the Group as a graduate Risk Analyst 20 years ago, Chris has continued to develop his expertise and understanding of the difference risk management makes to customers and our business.

Chris Oji

I've been part of the Risk Division at Lloyds Banking Group since 2004. It’s been quite a journey, moving from Risk Analyst to Senior Risk Analyst and most recently to Risk Manager. It’s been transformative. Not only because of everything I’ve been able to learn and the responsibilities I’ve gained. But because of the way I’ve been able to experience different ‘flavours’ of risk management and what it means for customers.

Making a real difference

As the UK’s largest retail and commercial financial services provider, Lloyds Banking Group has millions of customers. Our ability to understand them is crucial to making our service the best it can be.

Part of what we do in Credit Risk is to look at behaviours across all our customers. We use this insight to make sure policies, procedures and decisions are providing the best outcomes for everyone. It’s quite a responsibility. But that’s what I find so rewarding.

As a student, I studied massive computing, but my experience was mostly theoretical. Coming to Lloyds Banking Group, where I was interrogating such huge datasets and then translating that to real life, real people, real business decisions, was such an enlightening experience. It helped me understand just how essential risk management is for both our business and the people we serve.

Becoming a friend and advisor

Being an Analyst is quite a technical job. Day to day you’re programming, using mathematics and analysing data. Which made the move to my current Risk Manager role quite a shift.

With the rest of my team, I’m responsible for conduct compliance and the operational risk side of Comprehensive Credit Reporting (known as CCR). My role is to support the business by making sure our frameworks and policies are understood and ensuring we’re identifying and responding to risks in the right way.

What I love most is the opportunity it gives me to share the insight and expertise I developed as an analyst. I’m a trusted friend and advisor to colleagues. And sometimes that means delivering a tough message. But when the reward is seeing your advice result in better levels of protection for the bank and our customers, it’s entirely worth it. I know I’m influencing change.

Always moving forward

I wouldn’t have enjoyed many of the career opportunities I’ve had working just anywhere. In my initial interview, all those years ago, I was told there would be plenty of opportunities for training and development here. They weren’t wrong. The investment and support I’ve received over the last 20 years has far exceeded my expectations. It’s as true today as it’s ever been. Only a few months ago I successfully gained a new professional qualification in Information System Auditing.

Then again, Lloyds Banking Group has always prioritised progression. As an organisation, we’re always moving forward. The digital focus we’ve adopted, for example, isn’t only enhancing our customer proposition but improving our ways of working too.

Hybrid working and the emphasis we put on wellbeing, is another way we’re all able to keep improving in our roles. Because I’m able to take time for exercise and do what I need to take care of myself, I’m able to do the best job I can for Lloyds Banking Group in return.

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