Niall Delargy
Senior Marketing Executive
Richa Tyagi is Head of Finance for Fuel at Motia, helping the business understand its performance, identify opportunities, and navigate challenges. With a background in commercial finance across retail, leisure, and international expansion, Richa brings a wealth of experience and a passion for turning numbers into meaningful business decisions.
I’m Head of Finance for Fuel.
In simple terms, I help make sure we understand how the business is performing, what’s driving it and where the opportunities or challenges are.
There are obviously lots of numbers involved, but the bit I enjoy most is getting underneath them and working with the wider business to figure out what we actually do about them.
I’ve only been with the business for four months, so I’m still relatively new.
That said, it feels like I’ve packed a lot into those four months. I’m still new enough that I can just about get away with asking lots of questions!
It’s been fast-paced from day one, but I’ve loved getting stuck in, learning the business and meeting so many people across Motia.
My background is predominantly in commercial finance.
I spent a number of years in retail with Morrisons and Asda, working across various Finance Business Partner roles. Retail is definitely a great training ground for finance. It’s fast, challenging and teaches you very quickly to look beyond the spreadsheet.
More recently, I was part of the FP&A team supporting PureGym’s expansion into the US, which gave me the chance to work on something completely different and be part of a really exciting growth story.
I’ve been lucky to work across some very different businesses, but the common thread has always been enjoying being close to the business and using finance to help make better decisions.
Probably seeing people I’ve worked with grow and succeed.
It’s easy in finance to focus on results, deadlines and numbers, but some of the things I’m most proud of are actually about people. Seeing someone’s confidence grow, watching them step up, or knowing you’ve played a small part in their development is incredibly rewarding.
And, of course, getting through numerous budget cycles and three-year plans deserves an honourable mention!
By giving me opportunities and trusting me with them.
Even though I’ve only been here four months, I’ve already been able to get involved beyond the traditional finance remit, work with lots of different people across the business and take on things that have pushed me outside my comfort zone.
I’m a big believer that you learn most by doing, and I’ve certainly had the opportunity to do that from day one.
The variety.
I would get bored very quickly if every day looked the same.
I genuinely enjoy solving problems. There’s something very satisfying about starting with a complicated situation or a load of numbers and eventually getting to that moment where it all makes sense.
For me at the moment, it’s probably the learning curve that comes with joining a completely new industry.
I’ve come from retail and leisure, so fuel has its own language, dynamics and complexities to get my head around. I’m naturally quite inquisitive, so I want to understand not just what the numbers are doing, but why.
The challenge is resisting the temptation to understand absolutely everything immediately! Four months in, I’m still learning every day, but that’s also what keeps the role interesting.
Definitely the people and how welcoming everyone has been.
Starting a new job is always a bit daunting, especially when you’re also learning a completely new industry, but I’ve been really struck by how generous people are with their time and knowledge.
I’ve asked a lot of questions in my first four months and nobody has started avoiding me yet, so I’m taking that as a good sign!
I also really like the pace and ambition of the business. There’s a genuine appetite to move things forward, improve how we do things and try something different. You’re encouraged to have an opinion and challenge the status quo, regardless of how long you’ve been here.
For me, that combination of good people, lots to learn and the opportunity to make a difference is probably the best thing about Motia so far.
Fast-paced, ambitious and pretty down-to-earth.
People care about doing a good job, but we can also have a laugh along the way. There’s a willingness to challenge each other and try new things, which suits me because I’m naturally curious and usually have a few questions!
Probably someone working directly with our customers.
Finance gets to see so much of the business through reports, numbers and KPIs, but I’d love to see everything through the customer’s eyes for a day.
Although I suspect I’d come back with about 25 new questions and a spreadsheet...
Life outside work is usually pretty busy!
My family and friends are dotted all over England, so I spend a fair amount of time travelling around the country catching up with everyone.
I’m really close to my family, especially my niece and nephew, so I try to get down to Essex to see them whenever I can.
I’m definitely not very good at sitting still, so whether it’s seeing family, catching up with friends or heading somewhere for the weekend, there’s normally something in the diary.
Sport is a big part of my spare time.
I play cricket for North Leeds and rounders, and when I’m down in Essex I’ve somehow appointed myself as my niece and nephew’s cricket coach. I’m not sure they’ve officially asked for my coaching services, but that hasn’t stopped me!
More recently, I’ve also started collecting vinyl records, which is becoming a bit of a new obsession. I love finding a good record and slowly building up the collection, although I’m quickly realising it could become an expensive hobby!
I’m actually a professionally trained classical Indian dancer!
I don’t practise anymore, so I might be a little rusty, but the skills must still be in there somewhere.
Favourite way to unwind?
A good meal, good company and absolutely no spreadsheets.
Favourite food?
Ramen, without question. Give me a really good bowl of ramen and I’m happy.
Favourite TV show?
Love Island. It’s my guilty pleasure and I’m not even going to pretend otherwise!
Favourite film?
The Greatest Showman. I love the film, but the soundtrack is even better. It’s guaranteed to get me motivated in the gym or singing along in the car.
Have you ever met anyone famous?
Queen Elizabeth II at the Jubilee celebrations, which was a pretty special experience and definitely not your average day!
Dream dinner guest?
Freddie Mercury. I think the stories alone would make for a pretty unforgettable dinner.
Don’t wait until you feel completely ready.
If I’d waited until I felt 100% ready for every opportunity, I’d probably still be waiting.
Some of the biggest steps in my career have involved a bit of, “I’ll say yes now and work out exactly how I’m going to do it afterwards.”
Stop overthinking everything and trust yourself a bit more.
You don’t need to know everything, you don’t need to have your whole career mapped out and you definitely don’t need to be the loudest person in the room to have something valuable to say.
Also, most people are figuring things out as they go more than you realise!
Providing Fleet Solutions to optimise operations, cut costs, and keep your business moving.
.jpg)
.jpg)
