TrueTalk with Alison Maund, Chief of Staff to CCO

Tell us about your role

I wear two main hats within our organisation. As Chief of Staff, I drive our strategic planning, provide decision support, and align resources across our commercial functions — Growth, Sales, Partnerships, Integration, Onboarding, Customer Success, and Client Operations — serving as a trusted advisor to our CCO and Commercial leadership.

Additionally, I lead Commercial Operations, which has expanded from an internal RevOps team to now include Onboarding and Client Operations. All of these teams focus on leveraging technology, optimising processes, and solving problems to deliver seamless experiences, with RevOps driving internal efficiency and productivity, and Onboarding and Client Operations ensuring smooth client journeys.

What brought you to TrueLayer?

I had been working in the banking industry for nine years and decided to take a year out to do an MBA at the University of Cambridge, Judge Business School. My intention was always to pivot into the fintech industry after graduating, where I hoped the work would be relevant to my background, but more innovative and rapidly evolving.

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I enjoy a varied remit with minimal bureaucracy, so I get to solve problems at speed and move on to the next thing.

TrueLayer advertised an MBA summer internship and I was excited to get to know the world of open banking, which I had only heard murmurings of at my previous employer. At the time, nearly six years ago, TrueLayer was only 45 people, which was such an exciting and interesting change from a company of hundreds of thousands.

Tell us about your career journey at TrueLayer?

I spent the summer of 2019 as an intern in the Business Operations department (Biz Ops), but when it came time for full-time employment the only role available that aligned to my skill set was in Sales Operations. I admit I had to Google ‘Sales Operations'.

In my summer internship, I worked closely with the Commercial team and got really into tackling their challenges, so it felt like a natural transition. Since the role was brand new and a department of one, I also had the chance to really make it my own.

Our CCO, Max Emilson, joined in February 2020 and after a few weeks wanted me to work directly for him — still in my current role, but with an additional remit. He was looking for a ‘right-hand’ person to discuss and execute on initiatives for the Commercial team. Over time, this role developed into his Chief of Staff. As the company scaled, the scope of the Chief of Staff and Sales Operations roles were too much for one person and I began to recruit and build a team around me.

What’s a typical day at TrueLayer for you?

By the nature of my role and the remit of my team, we may be faced with dozens of challenges every week. For me, this often translates to fast-paced days filled with lots of meetings, context-switching, and problem-solving. I might be discussing budgeting with Finance, performance reviews with People, hiring strategies with Talent, our product roadmap with Product Development, client deep-dives with Sales, and regulatory deliverables with Compliance — all in a single day.

To navigate the demands, I’ve established some key rituals with my team to provide support and keep us on track. I've also found time-blocking my week in advance (especially for lunchtime and dog walks) is crucial for staying in control during the endless calendar Tetris.

Describe TrueLayer in three words?

Collaborative, ambitious, energising.

What are you most excited about over the next year at TrueLayer?

From a company perspective, I'm really excited about the clients we're onboarding across new industries, which not only fuels our growth, but also allows us to explore interesting new use cases and expand the potential of our platform.

In my department, I’m fuelled this year to find new ways to drive improvements in our Enterprise sales motion, leverage technology and AI for greater efficiency, and better lead key strategic initiatives with Commercial Operations, Onboarding, and Client Ops teams.

What keeps you motivated?

I'm incredibly fortunate to work alongside such highly motivated and incredibly intelligent people. The passion for our products and goals is truly inspiring. I also enjoy a varied remit (see above — lots of context-switching) with minimal bureaucracy, so I get to solve problems at speed and move on to the next thing. It keeps things exciting for sure.

What would you say to someone considering joining TrueLayer?

TrueLayer offers a unique opportunity to be part of a fast-growing company that's shaping the future of payments. We still operate with a startup mindset, where everyone is a key contributor with a bias for action and a chance to make a real difference. If you're looking for a place where you can dive in, take ownership, and see the direct results of your work, TrueLayer is the place for you.

Strangest job you’ve ever had?

I waited tables for over six years starting when I was 16. Arguably, the best job to introduce you to the world of stakeholder management. One of my most memorable experiences was working in the formal dining room of a retirement community. I received extensive training on proper etiquette and service, as dinner was a cherished event for these wealthy residents. I learned the importance of creating a positive and personalised experience for each individual, like my favourite resident, Art, who always appreciated a little extra ice cream with his dessert!

If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, what might you have done?

In another life I think I would have been a great home or closet organiser. As a child I was found rearranging my room every month to uncover the best configuration — much to my parents' dismay. Still now, I do this in my own home, preferably when my husband is out so he doesn’t have to witness and get anxious during the process and can simply enjoy the end result. My most active Pinterest board is called ‘Organisational Ideas’. I read and subscribe to Maria Kondo’s Konmari method and love The Home Edit. My label maker also gets lots of action. Maybe I missed my calling and now my family is suffering the consequences of my crazy hobby.

When you’re not at work, where might we find you?

My husband and I bought a puppy and a house in 2020. We like our long walks in nearby Richmond or Bushy Parks with the dog and love queuing up at the famous ice cream truck, The Kingstonian. We also love our DIY and often plan a 'relaxing' Sunday that ends up spiralling into a full-on home improvement project.

Words to live by?

You don’t ask, you don’t get.

Any books, podcasts or films you’d recommend?

I love efficiency in life and work, so I got a lot of value from Effortless by Greg McKeown. Also, as a Commercial Leadership team we read Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg and I am constantly trying to employ its strategies. I also love all things movies (and high-production TV) so I love listening to the Ringer podcasts, especially The Big Picture, Prestige TV and Rewatchables.