Claire Cundill - Chief Operating Officer, Leighton
Did you always envisage a career in the world of technology?
No, I studied law and wanted to be a barrister. It wasn’t until the end of my degree that I realised I wasn’t going to pursue becoming a barrister anymore. I ended up applying for three different graduate schemes all for very different reasons. The first one was for a tea tester, because I wanted to travel. The second one was for British American Tobacco because they had a racing team and I wanted to get into racing. The third was for British Steel as my dad and grandad both worked in the metal industry. I ultimately got on the grad scheme with British Steel and spent the next few years working to become a steel trader. It wasn’t until I left London some years later that I considered a career in tech. Having always worked in customer-focused roles, moving into tech was quite an easy transition. I didn’t require as deep an understanding of code versus other tech roles, the key was understanding customers’ needs and effectively bridging them with skilled experts.
What tips would you give to someone looking to work in the industry?
I would say be opened minded. The tech industry is changing so much. Just look at the impact AI has had over the last few years and will continue to have. Nobody can predict what the industry will look like over the next few years, so trying to give advice is difficult. What I would say is be prepared and open minded to the scale and pace of change. No other industry is moving as quick as the tech industry, so it’s a really exciting time to get into it.
Tell us about the most exciting project you’re currently working on.
This might be a bit of a cop out, but all our customers’ projects are exciting in different ways as each customer is trying to achieve something different. Recently we’ve worked on a couple of proof-ofconcept projects that have been exciting as they’ve allowed us to use new technologies like large language models. We’re currently using large language models for a proof-of-concept that analyses user preferences, behaviours and interactions to offer personalised recommendations and improve user experience, so we’re excited to bring that to market.
Tell us about your team.
Within the commercial team I get to work with incredibly talented people spanning sales, marketing and account management who all have a wealth of experience and challenge my thinking and perspective every day. Our tech team continually blow me away with how they think and how they rise to new challenges, embracing new tech along the way. I’m fortunate to have great people around me, and as we’re constantly growing and evolving our team, it’s really exciting when someone new joins and brings something new to the team.
What are your plans for Leighton?
We’ve got ambitious growth plans as we continue on our path to becoming the North’s leading AWS software developer. Over the last three years, we’ve taken steps to recover from the impact of Covid-19 and boost Leighton’s scale and impact, and our FY23 results underscore our commitment to sustainable growth and highlight our ability to adapt to the evolving needs of our customers. So, over the next few years we plan much of the same. Continuing with sustainable growth whilst helping our customers thrive.
What’s your favourite piece of technology?
It’s hard to choose just one! If I had to narrow it down, I’d say my phone, my Peloton app and my coffee machine are at the top of my list. My phone connects me to endless information and keeps me productive on the go. I also love how I can stay connected to the kids so easily and share photos with friends and family. My Peloton app has really helped me stay active, especially when working from home. And I couldn’t get through the day without my coffee machine. So much so I had to take it with me on holiday recently. I’ve got my eye on a robot vacuum as my next bit of tech!
Do you have any heroes or mentors?
I’m proud to say my dad is my hero. He had his own businesses when I was growing up. Some were more successful than others but seeing him deal with failure and keep going taught me a lot. As for mentors, I’ve had far too many to name them all and I wouldn’t want to leave anyone out. I’m really fortunate for the people who I’ve worked with at every stage of my career. I’ve had mentors at every point who’ve helped me and shaped my career in some way.
When not working how do you like to relax?
When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me spending quality time with friends and family. I’ve got two daughters and a dog that keep me and my husband on our toes. As a family, we love to travel and explore new places, cultures, and food. Skiing is another passion of mine, though I’ll admit it’s not always the most relaxing! I also love to keep active, whether it be walking the dog, going for a run or getting a session in on the Peloton.
What’s your fondest career memory?
This might sound cheesy, but honestly, I feel a sense of fondness coming out of every meeting! I love helping customers solve their challenges, knowing we can get through, come up with a solution and make it better. At Leighton our tagline is ‘making the improbable, possible’ and I get a real sense of pride when we do just that for customers.
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve received?
The best business advice I’ve ever received is listen with two ears and consider how you choose to think about stuff. For me, listening with two ears really emphasises the importance of being fully engaged and receptive and not just hearing the words, but understanding the context of what’s being said. And as for considering how you choose to think about stuff, changing my mindset has been a game-changer for me. Perspective is everything and consciously choosing a positive or constructive perspective often leads to more productive interactions, fosters better relationships and improves collaboration.
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