Maheswara Segu

Hi, I’m Maheswara Segu, a Lead Business Analyst at First Derivative, based in Belfast. With a background in business analysis and project management, I joined FD to work on complex change initiatives across different areas of financial services. My role typically involves working closely with stakeholders to navigate complexity, shape effective solutions, and ensure strong alignment between business and technology. I have a strong interest in continuous improvement and in exploring emerging technologies, such as AI, to understand how they can be applied in a practical and value‑driven way.

I joined First Derivative in 2022 as a Business Analyst Consultant. What attracted me to FD was the opportunity to work across multiple clients, projects, and business areas, while applying my existing experience in a dynamic and fast‑paced environment.

Since joining FD, I’ve worked across a range of initiatives within financial services. I initially supported a trade surveillance programme for a high‑street bank, where I contributed to complex regulatory and data‑driven requirements and worked closely with stakeholders to deliver effective solutions. I’m currently supporting a migration initiative for a high‑street brokerage firm, where I play a key role in shaping requirements, supporting delivery teams, and ensuring alignment between business objectives and technical change.

I’ve been primarily based in Belfast, while working closely with colleagues across India, the USA, and other global locations. This has given me valuable experience working in distributed teams and navigating different working styles and perspectives. Collaborating globally has reinforced the importance of clear communication, strong stakeholder engagement, and adaptability.

One of the moments I’m most proud of is supporting teams in their transition to Agile ways of working, helping guide the journey, advising on key principles, and introducing appropriate techniques when needed to support effective delivery. I’m also proud of developing a Test Data Simulator using AI tools, which demonstrated how emerging technologies can be leveraged in a practical way to solve real problems.

One piece of advice I wish I had received earlier is that, as a Business Analyst, developing technical skills to a certain extent from the beginning is incredibly valuable. Having that foundation makes it easier to collaborate effectively and add greater value as solutions evolve.