“I’m really lucky that AO and our benefits have helped me so much with my Girlguiding volunteering and fundraising” – Rebecca’s Story

I’m Rebecca, and I’ve been part of the AO family since September 2015. My journey in tech began when I left school at 16 (quite a while ago now!), diving straight into an apprenticeship in developing IT systems. That early leap into the industry sparked a passion that’s carried me through nearly 25 years of learning, growth, and tackling new challenges.

My fascination with STEM subjects and problem-solving took root during my school years, where I was fortunate to meet and work with inspirational women in engineering. Their mentorship gave me the confidence to pursue that initial apprenticeship, a decision I’ve never regretted. Those early experiences taught me the value of resilience and adaptability, qualities that have shaped my career and approach to every project. Over the years, I’ve been proud to contribute to initiatives that not only solve technical challenges but also improve how people interact with systems and services, from secure digital platforms for public services to seamless online shopping experiences.

Tech is such a vast and dynamic field, offering an incredible variety of roles. Over the years, I’ve worn many hats—Test Analyst, Business Analyst, Product Owner, and Delivery Lead—working across both public and private sectors. I’ve contributed to digital solutions for diverse industries, the Automotive sector, Events, Warehousing & Distribution, and Retail & E-commerce. Each role and industry have brought unique problems to solve and opportunities to innovate, which keeps me energised and curious. Whether it’s streamlining processes for a warehouse or enhancing user experiences in e-commerce, I love the chance to make a tangible impact through technology.

Before joining AO, I’d heard great things about its people-first culture—a key factor for me when choosing where to work. I’m happy to say the reality has exceeded my expectations. At AO, I’ve found a supportive environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and personal growth. The chance to work with talented teams, share ideas, and deliver many projects has made my time here truly rewarding. I’m excited to keep growing, learning, contributing to AO’s mission and keeping the customer at the heart of everything we do.

Since joining AO as a Business Analyst, I’ve had an exciting and rewarding career journey, progressing into the roles of Product Owner and, most recently, Delivery Lead. Each role has challenged me to grow, adapt, and contribute in new ways. I thrive on the fast-paced nature of AO and I’m continually inspired by the wealth of opportunities given for personal and professional development.

As an Agile Delivery Lead, my role is to enable high-performing, self-organising teams to deliver valuable outcomes for our customers. I work closely with teams across the business to ensure we stay focused on delivering the right things at the right time. My role is part facilitator, part coach, and part problem-solver.

I help create an environment where collaboration thrives, blockers are quickly removed, and continuous improvement is part of the team’s DNA. By guiding teams through agile ways of working, I ensure that delivery runs smoothly, stakeholders stay aligned, and we’re always learning and adapting to improve how we work.

Ultimately, I’m here to help teams succeed—by supporting them in doing their best work, staying connected to business goals, and making sure we deliver real value, fast.

One of the highlights of my time here was the chance to visit Spotify, where I saw their ways of working and brought back actionable ideas to enhance our processes. Additionally, completing the AO Star program was an amazing experience, allowing me to sharpen my leadership skills, build stronger team dynamics, and deepen my ability to drive impactful results. I’m grateful to be part of a company that not only fosters growth but also encourages curiosity, collaboration, and bold thinking.

During my time in AO tech I have been part of a great women in tech community where we focus on challenges women face when venturing into tech roles, along with keeping them in tech roles. We looked at how we could make a difference here at AO as well as opportunities to reach out to the next generation – this is what spurred me on to become a volunteer for Girl Guiding and becoming ‘Wise Owl’. If girls can see women in tech while they’re still growing up, it becomes something they can picture themselves doing. I get to be that role model and bring my skills into meetings—whether that’s running tech-based activities or just showing the girls what’s possible. It’s my way of helping inspire the next generation.

I’m really lucky that AO and our benefits have helped me so much with my Girlguiding volunteering and fundraising. I’ve used MAD (Make A Difference) days to go on Guide camps, and the holiday buy scheme meant I could take extra time off to volunteer in Peru. While I was there, I helped at a dog sanctuary, worked with locals making bricks and eucalyptus oil, and even got to see amazing places like Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain. At work with the support from my fellow tech colleagues we organised and ran “Books for Brownies” events over lunch—collecting and selling second-hand books to raise money for my Brownie unit. The AO Smile Foundation provided a 50% boost for what we raised, which made such a big difference.

As I move forward in my career, I’m committed to sharpening my leadership skills by seizing every opportunity to lead projects, guide teams, and drive meaningful change. I find so much fulfilment in coaching and mentoring the next generation of tech professionals, helping them navigate challenges and unlock their potential. By sharing my experiences and fostering a culture of growth, I aim to empower emerging talent to thrive.

For anyone looking to kickstart a career in tech, my best advice is to dive in with confidence, even if you feel you don’t yet have all the skills. The tech world values curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to learn over perfection. Embrace every chance to grow, whether through hands-on projects, online courses, or collaboration with peers. To set yourself up for success, seek out a company, like AO, that prioritises development, offering resources, mentorship, and a supportive environment. When you align with an company that invests in your growth, you’ll find the path to success becomes clearer, and your career will flourish. Stay open to feedback, keep learning, and trust that your journey in tech will be as rewarding as it is transformative!