A Career in Biomedical Science
I began my career as a Biomedical Scientist (BMS) in 2010 at Newham Hospital in East London. Over the years, I progressed in my field working for both private and NHS hospitals and, in 2016, was encouraged to pursue a Master's in Quality Management, which led me to be involved in Quality Management roles, overseeing three private hospitals in Spire Tunbridge Wells, Spire Alexandra Chatham Kent and in St John & Elizabeth hospital Northwest London.
In this role, I focused on laboratory quality standards by implementing and maintaining quality management systems (QMS) such as ISO 15189 (Medical Laboratories - Requirements for Quality and Competence). My work involved overseeing laboratory processes and procedures, ensuring accurate and reliable test results, conducting internal and external audits, and ensuring compliance with national and international regulations.
As a Biomedical Scientist, continuous learning was a must. Keeping up with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) wasn't just a requirement - it was essential for staying ahead in an ever-evolving field. The role demanded a lifelong learning mindset, as maintaining high standards in laboratory practice was crucial for patient safety and regulatory compliance.
Time for a Change
Last year, I found myself feeling a bit off - like something was missing. Turning 40 made me pause and reflect. The spark I once had wasn't quite there anymore, and I struggled with the question, What's wrong?
I had always loved being a Biomedical Scientist - helping people was at the heart of what I did. But over time, I realised that it no longer gave me the same sense of fulfillment. That realisation led me to explore something new - one that would challenge me, leverage my existing skills, and open the door to fresh opportunities.
And that's how I found myself in payments and business analysis - a field I never expected to enter but one that has proven to be an exciting new chapter in my career.
Change inspired by a friend
A friend of mine, who was also a Biomedical Scientist, transitioned into a Senior Business Analyst (BA) role. One day, he said to me, "Valerie, you know you can do this - it's essentially project management in healthcare. You're already setting up projects, documenting everything, communicating with teams, training staff, running tests on software, performing risk analysis, and implementing corrective and preventive actions."
That conversation stuck with me, and in March 2023, I decided to take an online Business Analysis and Project Management course he had attended. I also completed the BCS foundation exams, and it just clicked - it felt completely natural. I picked it up quickly and realised that many of the skills I had developed in the lab were highly transferable.
Of course, I'm still learning because it's a new field, but certain aspects came naturally - things like processes, stakeholder management and engagement, documentation, risk and impact assessment, SLAs and SOPs, compliance, and regulations.
When I started applying for jobs, I faced challenges due to lack of direct experience. So, I took the time to study the market trends and shadowed my friend at the same time - to understand the role in practice, and took additional courses on Udemy and Coursera to earn certifications and a diploma. I even got a reference from my trainer to strengthen my CV.
That's when I started looking into apprenticeships. I thought, "If I'm going to do this, I should start properly from the ground up and build my way forward."
The Opportunity with Yaspa
I came across this opportunity through QA Apprenticeships, who introduced me to Yaspa, a London-based open banking fintech that was hiring an Apprentice Business Analyst (BA). I've always been interested in technology, so the opportunity immediately caught my attention.
I went through the application process, and thankfully, it went well. Now, six months in, it has been an exciting and eye-opening journey. Transitioning from a senior position to a junior role was an adjustment, but what stood out to me most when I first joined was the work environment. Many of my colleagues were much younger—around the same age as my eldest child, who is 22. I remember calling her and joking, "What are you doing with your life? Your age mates here are running an entire business!" It was a completely different environment from what I was used to.
From day one, the team at Yaspa has been incredibly welcoming, warm, and supportive - it truly feels like a family. One of the most humbling experiences was the opportunity to meet, sit with, and even play card and board games with the CEO, CTO, CMO, and Head of Product. In healthcare, such interactions with senior leadership were rare, so experiencing this level of openness and inclusivity was something I'll never forget. I'm incredibly grateful to God for this opportunity.
Now that I've settled in, I look back at how I approached this journey - with honesty and a willingness to learn. From the start, I made it clear to Yaspa that while I didn't have all the skills yet, I was committed to learning and growing into the role. Interestingly, it was also a learning experience for them, as this was the first time Yaspa had a Business Analyst on the team. It's a partnership: I contribute my experience while adapting to their processes, and they provide mentorship to align my work with their vision.
My goal is simple - to bring value to Yaspa and make the most of the opportunity they've given me. I will strive to be an asset to the company and contribute meaningfully to their growth, just as they have invested in mine.
Building a new career
My apprenticeship runs until February next year, and during this time, I'm working towards my qualification while gaining hands-on experience at Yaspa and getting paid for it. There's so much to learn, and I genuinely appreciate the opportunity Yaspa has given me.
So far, stepping into the corporate world has been both exciting and challenging, but strangely enough, I love it. It feels like I've been thrown into a brand-new experience, almost like I've been reborn into a new world like a child in a toy store, exploring all these possibilities. Back in the lab, I had so many ideas, but I didn't know how to bring them to life. Now, I finally can, and I'm testing out everything I once imagined.
Last year, I decided to learn coding and got certified as a software and AI developer. At Yaspa, I work closely with the software development team, and I absolutely love it. Being part of the product and design process feels like a natural fit. I know what you're thinking - how does a former Biomedical Scientist end up in tech? But I've always had an interest in technology - it's actually one of the reasons I was drawn to laboratory science in the first place. The solutions, experimental testing, and technology behind diagnostics always fascinated me.
Growing up, I am one of six siblings; four brothers, my younger sister, and myself. Whenever it was our birthday, my mum would ask us what we wanted. While my sister loved clothes, makeup, and nail polish, I was all about tech gadgets - I'd ask for a Walkman, an iPod, gameboy or anything technology-related. I also loved playing PlayStation with my brothers (and I still do with my son!).
So when I discovered tools and technologies that could turn my ideas into reality, I thought, "Alright then, let's go!" And that's how my journey into technology and innovation began. I haven't stopped since - and I don't plan to anytime soon.