Faizal Dawood’s journey to digital change in government

Faizal Dawood

Faizal Dawood graduated from Coventry University in 2013 with a first-class degree in Business Information Technology. Alongside strong academic results, he graduated with a clear understanding of how digital systems are built and how technology can be used to improve services at scale. Those foundations led him into a career shaping large digital programmes across government and industry.

Building a career

Right after graduating, Faizal began his first professional role as a business design analyst, working on a large, multi-million-pound ERP replacement programme. It was a fast-paced environment that exposed him to complex systems and large delivery teams, helping him transition from academic study into professional delivery.

Shortly after this, Faizal moved to the Department for Education, where he worked on the Find an Apprenticeship service, one of the first digital services redesigned under the Government Digital Service (GDS) standards. Over time, his responsibilities expanded, and he went on to become the Business Analyst Profession Lead, leading a community of over 30 business analysts and supporting the development of new ways of working across teams.

“Being part of one of the original GDS services really shaped how I think about digital delivery. It showed me how important it is to design services around real user needs, while also supporting and developing the people doing the work.”

Agile and digital delivery

Throughout his career, Faizal has continued to build on the agile and project management skills he first developed at Coventry University. These skills are a big part of how he works today, especially in environments where adaptability and clear communication are needed.

After his time in government, Faizal moved to Hippo, where he now works as a business analyst consultant. In this role, he supports various public and private sector projects, helping organisations improve their delivery of digital services.

“Agile and project management sit at the heart of what I do. They’ve given me the confidence to work across different organisations and adapt quickly to new challenges.”

Alongside his consulting work, Faizal frequently shares his experience with the wider business analysis community. He has appeared on industry YouTube podcasts, discussing topics such as communities of practice and scaled agile delivery, helping others learn from his journey and experience.

Starting the journey at Coventry

Looking back, Faizal credits his time at Coventry University with giving him a broad understanding of how software projects come together. The course introduced him to the full software development life cycle and helped him understand how technical work connects to business needs.

He also found the focus on agile working and project management especially valuable, as these areas now sit at the heart of his career. Being able to understand both the technical and organisational sides of delivery has helped him move confidently between teams, sectors and roles.

One of Faizal’s standout memories from university was the opportunity to travel to Barcelona as part of Coventry’s partnership with TecnoCampus. The experience provided him with a broader perspective on international working and learning, and it remains a highlight of his student years.

Returning to campus

Earlier this year, Faizal returned to Coventry University to speak to students about his journey from university into working life. Working alongside lecturers, he shared honest insights into career progression, learning on the job and building confidence after graduation.

“Coming back to speak to students felt like a full-circle moment. I wanted to show that careers don’t follow a single straight path, and that it’s okay to keep learning as you go.”

Looking ahead

Today, Faizal continues to work at the intersection of technology, people and delivery. Whether supporting digital transformation projects, mentoring others in the profession, or sharing knowledge with students and peers, his focus remains on building services that work better for users.

“I’m proud of how my career has developed so far, but I’m still learning all the time. For me, it’s about continuing to improve how teams work together and how services meet user needs.”