What we built in a year: inside data operations at 9fin

Linda Robb

30 April 2025•4 min read

A year ago, 9fin opened its Belfast office and established a dedicated Data Operations team tasked with increasing the quality and breadth of data on the 9fin platform. The goal was to build a team that could scale with the company – one designed to move quickly, uphold high standards of accuracy, and power the launch of new products, geographies, and ideas.

I was the first hire in Belfast, joining as Head of Data Operations. As a self confessed speed and adrenaline junkie, I quickly knew I’d found the right place. 9fin moves fast: we’ve grown from a handful of people to a nearly 50-person team at the heart of 9fin's operations. Our impact has been remarkable – from accelerating 9fin's market-leading news aggregation to deliver faster updates across more coverage areas, to driving lightning-fast decisions with earnings flashes to keep our clients ahead of the competition.

If you're looking to build, ship, and shape the future of financial data at one of the UK's top 20 fastest growing tech companies, Data Ops might be where you belong.

What we do, and why it matters

9fin's clients rely on us for speed, precision, and context. Data Ops makes that possible.

The team transforms complex, fragmented information – like earnings releases, bond documentation, and filings – into structured, verified datasets that power the 9fin platform. Whether it's enabling real-time insights or laying the groundwork for new datasets like BDC Earnings or Distressed & Restructuring, the goal is always the same: actionable data, ready when clients need it.

We extract, standardise, and verify complex data from a vast range of sources – including earnings releases hidden behind password-protected IR sites – and make it instantly usable through the 9fin platform. In short, we do the heavy lifting, so our clients don't have to.

Growing fast in both size and scope

We started out focused purely on Leveraged Finance, but the function has evolved to support nearly every vertical across 9fin – including Private Credit, CLOs, and Distressed & Restructuring.

Alongside that, the team has invested in systems that support scale – building internal tooling, structured onboarding, and QA processes to maintain quality and speed as the platform grows.

"No two days at 9fin are the same, and I mean that in the best possible way! One day you're working on a brand new project, the next you're helping onboard someone completely new to the team. That kind of variety keeps things exciting. It makes coming to work feel way less like a routine, and more like something you actually look forward to."

Hannah Molloy, senior data operations associate (news)

Showcasing lots of brilliant work at a 9fin University presentation

Expanding beyond data wrangling

We don’t just keep the engine running. We also help decide where to go next.

Our data infrastructure supports go-to-market readiness, underpins scalable workflows across teams and geographies, and has directly enabled the launch of new products.

"A standout project was getting the CLO pipeline up and running. Our role was to set up all the deals in the pipeline, and it was really rewarding to see it all come together for the launch. I loved working closely with people across the business — it was a true team effort. And having that hard work recognised by both the wider 9fin team and our clients made it all the more satisfying."

Stephen Peden, data operations associate (news)

We’re also helping shape how data gets used, from internal tools to client-facing features, working side-by-side with engineers, analysts, and product leads.

"One of the things I’m most proud of is helping shape 9fin’s BDC feature. I got to work closely with the engineering team, which was a great experience in itself, and even better to see it all come together as a best in class product. It’s a great feeling, knowing you played a part in building something that actually makes a difference to clients."

Nicholas Bleakney, data operations associate (financials)

Building a best in class culture

We’ve built a team and culture to be proud of: they've made a massive impact, are insanely talented, are ready to rock-n-roll, and always eager to learn. As a leader, it’s a privilege to work with them all.

"Working in Data Ops is simply the best. The people around you genuinely care, and that kind of energy rubs off. We help each other out, and no one pretends to know everything — we're all learning new things every day. It's the kind of culture that makes me want to do a better job."

Muhammad Wassay, data operations associate (financials)

The data ops team, enjoying one of many team socials!

The next chapter

With ambitious goals in 2025 and beyond, we're expanding our coverage in Private Credit, CLOs, and Distressed; integrating new data sources from 9fin’s recent acquisition of Bond Radar; and doubling down on even more automation and tooling.

"It honestly couldn’t be a more exciting time to join the Data Ops team. We’re growing quickly, and there’s so much space to learn — from building your financial knowledge to understanding how markets, companies, and news all connect. If you’re looking to join a team where you can grow fast in an even faster moving startup, this is definitely the place to be!"

Clara McGoran, data operations associate (news)

If you’re excited by complexity, motivated by impact, and want to be part of a team that’s building the future of data in debt markets – we’d love to talk.

Head here to check out our open roles in Belfast, London or New York.