Denise Lawrenson has spent to the majority of her career working in the rail industry. After graduating as a software engineer, she worked on major projects including extensions to the London Underground and rail projects in Hong Kong. As a woman, she is still an outlier in the Rail sector, but that only galvanises her.

In 2005 Denise joined KeTech, a private equity backed SME technology business who improve the experience of rail travellers around the world. She became CEO in 2019. Denise has worked in a variety of roles within the KeTech business and has experienced many highs and lows along the way. 

In 2010, after the global financial crisis, the company had fallen on very difficult times. It became Denise’s job to travel around the world convincing her customers and suppliers to continue to support KeTech. As you will hear, there is a pivotal moment when Denise asks one of KeTech’s customers for their support. Their faith and trust in Denise meant that they placed another order. 

Humble, understated and very focussed, her faith has never wavered in the potential of both the team and the KeTech business. Today, the business is thriving, applying lessons from their past to help achieve their global ambition.

Denise was a pleasure to talk to. She has a great sense of humour, and she shares many valuable learns that are meaningful to everyone.

Resources

KeTech website: https://www.ketech.com/ Denise Lawrenson – LinkedIn: Denise Lawrenson 

Acorn Children’s Hospice Business club: https://www.acorns.org.uk/acorns-business-club/.