Elisabetta Nadal is a Business Analyst within EDC’s London office. She joined EDC in 2022 after a year of experience working as a research fellow, focused on the analysis of entrepreneurial decision-making processes. Elisabetta holds an MSc in Economic and Social Sciences from Bocconi University in Milan and a BSc in Economics from the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.

1. Why did you join EDC? What attracted you to the company and the Payments Strategy Consulting industry?

After I graduated, I had a year of work experience as a research fellow, as I was planning to start a PhD. To follow the research project that I was coordinating at the time, I moved from Milan to London and immediately fell in love with its energy. Meanwhile, I also recognised that a PhD would not have suited my career ambitions and decided to look for something more practical, so I started applying for roles in the consultancy sector. I found EDC through my university and immediately became interested in the company. The first item that attracted my attention was the fact that EDC serves clients all over the world. My knowledge about payments was very limited, but I started looking at the company website, and thanks to their in-depth market reports, I immediately understood that EDC was working with some companies I already knew. I was also interested in keeping up to date about how the financial services market is changing. This is how I realised that the payments world was an exciting and dynamic industry and that EDC was at the forefront of this international environment. This was the same environment I wanted to work in.

2. What were your expectations when you first joined, and how right (or wrong) were you?

I expected to have important responsibilities on the project I was about to start working on, and I was proven right. From the very first day I was exposed to projects, I got the chance to see how the other team members are used to working in their day-to-day activities, which made me learn the different processes and consulting methodologies that EDC apply in different situations. I remember that I had been told that the learning curve was steep, especially within the first couple of years, but I did not expect it to be so rapid. Sometimes I realise how much I have been learning, and I feel more and more confident about my role and the responsibilities that I want to take on different projects in the future.

3. What is your current role? What do you do?

As a Business Analyst, in the past few months, I worked on projects for international issuers, payment service providers and payment technology companies in Europe and North America. Our work usually involves different tasks, such as data collection and analysis of payment trends, interviewing various stakeholders to conduct market opportunity assessments, market research for new product solutions, competitive landscape reviews etc. Usually, I work with Consultants, Managers and Directors from different EDC offices, who guide my work and learning process and are always willing to share knowledge and expertise. What I really enjoy about my work is that I am always able to personalise my tasks based on my previous knowledge and skills, as the more senior members of the project team are always happy to discuss new points of view while at the same time ensuring that the project stays on track.

4. What are your hobbies? What do you do in your spare time?

I have always been into sports, especially swimming, artistic gymnastic and hiking. After moving to London, mountains became less easy to find, so I started rock climbing indoors, mainly with friends who are also into sports. I still miss my mountains, so I go hiking and skiing whenever I return to Italy. In London, I quickly got used to having a beer in a pub and Sunday brunches with my friends, and I love walking and cycling around to discover new places.

5. What are your personal objectives/goals for the next year(s)?

At the moment, my main personal objective for the next 12 to 18 months is to travel as much as I can, especially after two years of not being able to do so because of Covid-related restrictions. At work, I’m keen to develop my skills in dealing with different types of EDC clients across different industries. And ideally, I would like to combine these objectives where feasible.

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