2023 Global Leaders in Consulting: Lindsay Ratcliffe

Lindsay Ratcliffe is the Chief Product Officer at Kin + Carta Europe. She is responsible for creating Kin + Carta's digital transformation services to deliver end-to-end outcomes for FTSE 500 clients. With 20+ years of experience in digital innovation and transformation, Lindsay has consulted across sectors including financial services, retail, media, telco and government. She has experience in scale-ups and global organizations, has worked in consulting and in-house roles and is the author of Agile Experience Design.

As an advocate for women in tech, Lindsay is involved in various networking groups and mentoring programs, and sits on Kin + Carta's IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Awareness) global leadership team. She is regularly invited to speak and write about emerging technology, experience design, sustainability and diversity in tech.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

I have grown up alongside the internet and as such I have had the opportunity of being a digital pioneer – working on many concepts and initiatives that have had no presidents, digital or analogue. I have done this as a female consultant working in the male dominated tech industry. I have worked hard and used my passion and expertise to overcome bias and gain respect in challenging circumstances. This is what I look to as one of my greatest achievements, both personally and professionally.

What advice would you give a professional just beginning a career in consulting?

I'd tell them to learn quickly how to decipher the signal from the noise. As a consultant, you will be faced with lots of data and information. Look for the key gems that will unlock the challenge or opportunity and have real business impact. Discard the rest.

What have you loved most about your consulting career?

I have really loved the opportunity to work across so many different companies and sectors. This has meant that every challenge is unique and offers a new learning experience. As a born problem solver, I love peeling back all the layers to get to the real nub of the issue and then building the solution from there.

What's the best advice—personal or professional—you've ever received?

Life is frenetic and everyone has to-do lists in various formats and apps. However, a piece of advice I love and I have shared often is to create a 'Ta-Dah!' list. For me, this list is a small dedicated book I write in when I deliver an initiative or achieve something (like this award!) If I receive great feedback or if something I'm doing is recognized, I add it to my list. It is a great mnemonic to use for performance reviews and CVs, but most importantly, if you are having one of those moments of doubt – which we all have from time to time – you can use it as evidence to remind you of your expertise and impact.

What does being honored as a Global Leader mean to you?

I truly appreciate the recognition for the effort that I have put into my work throughout the years and I see this as an opportunity to inspire and support others on their own unique journey.