Name: Navya Shivanna | Organisation: Liverpool City Council | Designation: Business Analyst | Location: Merseyside, UK
Balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being is often easier said than done. But for Navya Shivanna, a Business Analyst at Liverpool City Council, the pursuit of balance is not just a lifestyle choice, rather it’s built into her career. Her work touches the lives of people across the UK’s fifth-largest city, where every project she handles directly impacts communities. For Navya, professional growth and personal fulfillment go hand in hand.
Enjoying work culture in the UK
Since moving to the UK in 2021, Navya has deeply appreciated the value placed on work-life balance. “Boundaries are respected here. No one expects you to be available outside of work hours, and mental health is a visible priority,” she tells Global Indian.
Her day starts around 7:00 am with journaling or meditation to set the tone. Then comes coffee, emails, and a full workday that alternates between meetings, analysis, and project planning.
The workplace culture, she says, is collaborative and emotionally professional. “Colleagues uplift each other instead of competing silently. It’s a refreshing difference compared to the high-pressure environment I experienced earlier in India.”
Amazon years and transition to Liverpool City Council
Navya joined Amazon India directly through campus placements in October 2018. Initially, she worked as an Operations Supervisor, later transitioning into a Customer Experience Analyst role from April 2023 to April 2025 in London.
She managed and optimized UK deliveries by collaborating with key stakeholders to enhance speed and performance across shipping methods like ‘same day’ and ‘next day’ services. “I conducted lead verification by researching and analyzing reports to identify performance inconsistencies and outliers, ensuring accurate data for decision-making,” she recalls.
Her three years at Amazon gave her hands-on experience in stakeholder management and decision-making. “It was a fantastic training ground,” she says, adding that the company’s leadership principles shaped her professional values.
That experience, she feels, made it much easier to transition into her current role at Liverpool City Council, which she joined a few months ago.
Settling into a purpose-driven role
Coming from Amazon, where everything moved at lightning speed, Navya wasn’t sure how the shift to the public sector would feel. But the transition has been positive. The pace is different, allowing her to step back, breathe, and approach work with a renewed mindset.
“What’s stood out most is the purpose-driven nature of the work—knowing that what we do has a direct and real impact on the community. Adapting to new systems, culture, and ways of working takes time, but I’m enjoying the learning curve,” she mentions.
From Hyderabad to Chester
Born in Hyderabad, Navya grew up in the city. Her mother is a teacher by profession, while her father works in the pharmaceutical industry. She completed her schooling in Hyderabad before pursuing a pharmaceutical sciences degree in the city.
Though initially drawn to healthcare, her path shifted toward corporate life after graduation. When she moved to the UK, she decided to strengthen her skills further by pursuing an MSc in Business and Health Management at the University of Chester, while continuing to work.
Balancing coursework and professional responsibilities taught her discipline and time management, something she still applies in her role today. “Assignments were rooted in case studies, and professors frequently invited industry speakers for interactive sessions. This exposure helped bridge the gap between theory and practice and made me a more confident professional in the UK,” she says.
The quiet, scenic charm of Chester, recognized as a UNESCO heritage town, also gave her space to reflect and grow, tying her academic experience to the very balance she values today. Among her mentors, she recalls Professor Brian Gibbs, who taught Financial Planning and Statistics. “He encouraged one-on-one sessions, showing how student support here is truly individualized.” For Navya, this combination of academic rigour and personal guidance reinforced the importance of balance, both in learning and in life.
Creative outlet
Alongside work, Navya nurtures a creative outlet called Rasa by Navya, which is a digital space where she captures reflections, cultural nuances, and personal storytelling. “Rasa means essence or flavour in Sanskrit, and that is exactly what I aim to bring into people’s lives,” she explains. What began during the pandemic as a passion project has steadily grown into a platform where she curates experiences and shares thoughtful perspectives on life and identity.
For her, Rasa is more than just an escape from work—it’s a way to maintain balance, channel creativity, and stay rooted in her cultural and emotional essence.
Future plans
Professionally, Navya aims to continue working in public service transformation or strategic consulting, while also exploring opportunities in product strategy, innovation, and digital policy.
Personally, she hopes to expand Rasa by Navya into a multidimensional platform and someday write a book that captures the quiet but powerful moments of personal transformation.
Life beyond work
Writing, photography, and cultural travel are close to her heart. She visits India annually, especially Hyderabad, which keeps her grounded. “I find inspiration in ordinary things—conversations, textures in architecture—all of which eventually find their way into my writing,” she says.
After work, Navya enjoys unwinding with music, cooking, or personal projects like Rasa. “I avoid overworking; balance is the key for me. Weekends are for long walks, reading, or connecting with friends and family,” she signs off.
- Follow Navya Shivanna on LinkedIn